‘We open ourselves up and ask God what he wants us to do’
Living the Gospel helps Joshua share the faith.
Year Of Prayer
Bishop Boyea has called for a Year of Prayer, so that the diocese and each of us...
How can I follow Christ in these dark times?
An action, a commitment and a discipline to help you shine in the darkness
We were chosen as God’s children
A memory of a mother's kindness reminds us how much God loves us.
Catholics and Voting
ON TUESDAY, NOV. 6, citizens registered to vote in Michigan will participate in ...
God gives us signs of his love every day
Sheri Wohlfert sets out to see what good things God is doing.
In The Face Of The Asbcuasned Als, What Can You Say To Restore My Faith?
DEAR FATHER JOE: I am sickened by the news reports I’ve been reading about the c...
For Arie, it’s important to ‘walk with people and take it seriously’
WITNESS: My first real memory of witness was in college when I was trying to get...
Canonization of Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero
The canonization of both Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero, along with fo...
Can FAITH coexist with Reason?
‘YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH’
The Letter to the Hebrews (11:1) describes faith as “...
Young People And The Church
The theme, an expression of the pastoral care of the Church for the young, is co...
What Old Testament prophecies did Jesus fulfill?
For Christians, a full understanding of the New Testament is impossible wi...
What is a Eucharistic Procession?
Eucharistic processions remind us of our spiritual journey toward eternal life.
Real happiness is a joy that cannot be taken from us
How Father Mike found his calling for spiritual fatherhood and teaching others that happiness is not happenstance
Discover God's plan for happiness in your life
Deacon Oney speaks about how the Holy Spirit gives us strength to tell others what God has done for us
St. Peter Claver – Sept. 9
Celebrate the feast day of this Spanish-born Jesuit priest who cared for African slaves in Cartenga
Having a holy family looks different for everyone
Jennifer Fulwiler reminds us we all have unique families, and gifts we can share with them.
Why do I need a relationship with Jesus to be happy?
How faith and happiness are first about embracing and maintaining a relationship with God
Catechism Revised To State That Death Penalty ‘Inadmissible’
Pope Francis recently approved Catechism revision stating the Death Penalty is inadmissible in all cases
In gratitude for the gifts of the Spirit
What Pope Francis has been saying and doing recently
GO Evangelize: God wants to get our attention
God calls Heather to boldly share her faith in and outside of her ministry work.
I really don't understand the Trinity
The Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a single majesty and power is a difficult, yet awe inspiring, mystery.
Called to be apostles
We live out our mission as apostles best when we find a balance between magnanimity and humility
Is there proof that Jesus existed as an historical person?
Purdue University professor gives historical evidence that Jesus existed
Work Together To Build God’s Kingdom
We are all called to live and share the Gospel by combining our gifts with others to do the work he has planned for us.
GO Evangelize: Accompany people with patience and charity
A director of middle and high school ministry teaches us ways to walk with others on their faith journey
How do I love someone I can’t stand?
Father Joe's step-by-step guide to figuring out how to love a co-worker you don't even like
Evangelization means ‘Get up and go’
Pope Francis encourages us not to be shy in our evangelization efforts
My procrastination is affecting my job performance
Look to God to help you swiftly conquer your tasks.
Does Hell exist and does anybody go there?
God loves all of us enough to allow us to choose love or Hell
Spiritual seeking
Sherry Weddell looks at how spiritual seekers are a step beyond 'being open' to the faith
“Redefining” Marriage?
Should the majority choose, or is there an objective truth?
GROW as a disciple of Jesus: Develop an attitude of gratitude
Saying "Thank you" as we go about our days reminds us who is really in charge
St. Anthony of Padua - June 13
St. Anthony of Padua was a gifted preacher and teacher
Be patient and courageous in your prayer
"Knock on the door and knock on God's heart."
GROW as a disciple of Jesus: Time spent waiting is an opportunity to love and serve
Unexpected waiting delays can remind us that God is in charge of the details
How can I help...?
How we can help those in mourning and those in need
Building a bridge of trust
Your personal witness might be the bridge someone needs between distrust and a life-changing encounter with God
Lansing-based FAITH Catholic is now America’s largest publisher of Catholic magazines
FAITH Catholic's inspiring publications lead people into greater relationship with Jesus and his Church
Are all religions simply different paths to the same God?
In his work, “The World’s Religions,” author Huston Smith highlights an 19th cen...
St. Paschal Baylon - May 17
St. Paschal Baylon was a humble Spanish friar of the 16th century, celebrated fo...
GO Evangelize: Prayer is the backbone of evangelization
Prayer helped Paul boldly accept the challenge to build a relationship with his neighbor and invite her to Church
Go Evangelize: We are all called to constantly invite
Deacon Preiss’ ministry challenges people to receive Jesus and bring him to others
GROW as a disciple of Jesus: Hit the ‘pause’ button and ask Jesus to enter your day
Ways you can be still in the middle of your busy life and and ask Jesus to enter with his peace.
Blessed Paul VI to be canonized this year
What Pope Francis has been saying and doing recently
How can I help...?
Effective, prayerful ways to help struggling couples and priests who always seem harried.
How does the Catholic Church resolve new bioethical questions?
The Church takes time to offer teaching and guidance when new moral dilemmas arise
Why does God allow suffering?
Our own suffering invites us to imitate God's self-giving love
When Jan came into the Church ‘A blanket of warmth’ came over her
Catholic school teacher Jan Tietsort followed God's prompts to the Eucharist. What she found there was amazing.
Seeing through the eyes of ‘outsiders’
Convert turned disciple, Sherry Weddell, reminds us that everyone's faith journey will look different inside and out.
St. Gianna Molla – A mother who chose life for her unborn child
This married saint and pediatric specialist gave up her life so her daughter could live
GO evangelize: Katie invites others to encounter the faith
A campus minister's tips for inviting students to Mass
Saint Manuel Míguez González - March 8
Early in his priesthood, Manuel (who took the religious name Faustino of the Inc...
The 5 thresholds of conversion
Conversion requires Grace plus commitment to move from trust to discipleship
Will we become angels when we go to heaven?
This is such an important issue for all of us – death affects all of us indirect...
Why does God remain hidden?
Why does God remain hidden? For the believer, this question can challenge faith ...
Pope Francis marries couple during flight
On a flight between Chilean cities, the pope married flight attendants who had a...
GROW as a disciple of Jesus
How opening our hearts to Christ allows him to show his love for us
How can I ‘do’ Lent better?
Dear Fr. Joe: Every year, Lent happens and I start off really hoping to mak...
It's all about relationship
What do Catholics think about a personal relationship with God?
Does God exist?
Does God exist? For Catholics, the answer to this question is ultimately a matte...
‘The future must be peace’
To Myanmar: ‘The future must be peace’
Richard’s witness brings friends back to church
"Sometimes our part in another person’s journey is 10 minutes, sometimes it’s years."
Listen for God's whisper each day
4 ways to become familiar with the sound of his voice
From slavery to joy and hopefulnessL St. Josephine Bakhita
Feast Day: Feb. 8
Kidnapped. Beaten. Sold. So traumatized she forgot he...
GROW as a disciple of Jesus - Be aware of Jesus at work in your life
“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.” (Mk....
St. Nicholas Feast day: Dec. 6
Jolly Old St. Nicholas evokes a cheerful image of an elderly, bearded man, kindl...
What do you say when your sister wants to argue about religion at family dinners?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
How do I talk to my kids about sin when they disagree with a lot of the Church’s teaching?
Dear
Father Joe: My kids don’t always agree with the Church on some moral ...
GO evangelize - Cheryl accompanies others as they grow in faith
Now an intentional disciple of Christ, an employee of the Diocese of Lansing and...
Canonization of 35 saints from Brazil and Mexico
Pope Francis proclaimed 35 new saints at a canonization Mass at the Vatican on O...
Grow & Go
Q: Every Catholic is invited to a pretty special event next year. Tell us about ...
Mercy Friday visit to neuro-rehab center in Rome
Pope Francis continued his custom of “mercy Friday” encounters by visiting the S...
What do you say when your son says he is now an atheist?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
St. Leo the Great: Feast Day: Nov. 10
A man of peace. A pastoral pope and a preacher. A staunch defender of doctrine. ...
Saint Francis of Assisi Repairing God’s house
Feast day: Oct. 4Born into a life of privilege in the 12th century, Francis spen...
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Oct. 2 Gospel: Memorial of the Guardian Angels
The disciples approached Jesus...
What do you say when my brother says he feels closer to God on a fishing trip than in church?
The Question
My brother says he feels closer to God when he’s out on a fishin...
Papal audiences offer message of Christian hope
Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the topic of Christian hope at his Aug....
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Gospel for Sept. 14 – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
New Tes...
I feel so distracted at Mass
Dear Father Joe: Sometimes, there are so many distractions at Mass that I can’t ...
What do you say when a friend has tried praying and listening to God, but hears nothing?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
What to say when family claims religion doesn't matter as long as you're a good person?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Gospel for Aug. 6 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
Jesus took Pe...
St. Pius X
Feast Day: Aug. 21
When St. Pius X was named pope in 1903, he used the words ...
When we see design, we assume a designer
Q: Some of my Protestant friends insist the Genesis account is to be taken liter...
Family is a treasure
In an audience with members of the European Federation of Catholic Family Associ...
Why is it still Easter?
The Easter season gives us time to ponder and celebrate following Jesus to heaven
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Gospel for Pentecost Sunday
On the evening of that first day of the week, w...
Pope Francis Visits Egypt
During a two-day trip to Cairo, Pope Francis preached a message of tolerance at ...
Mother Lupita – patron saint of nurses
Feast Day: June 24
Saint Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala, known as Mother Lupit...
What do you say when a friend wonders why her young sister just died but her abusive grandfather is still alive?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
St. Joan of Arc, patron saint of France
Feast Day: May 30
Thanks to movies, books and popular legend, St. Joan of Arc...
Should we baptize our grandchildren in the kitchen sink?
Dear Fr. Joe: My wife wants to baptize our grandkids in the kitchen sink. I thin...
Apologies for role of Catholics in Rwandan genocide
On March 20, during a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the Holy Fathe...
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Gospel for May 28 – The Ascension of the Lord:
And he said to them, “Thus i...
What do you do when someone asks why we have to confess our sins to a priest?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
'Talk less, listen more'
Speaking to a group of students on Feb. 17 at Roma Tre University in Rome, the H...
What do you say when a friend says their prayers are not being answered?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
For Abby and Mitchell, FaithFest ‘shows everyone how cool the Catholic Church is’
FaithFest offers music, Mass under the stars
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Gospel for Easter Sunday
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came t...
What does it really mean to be blessed?
Dear Father Joe:
After a disaster, I hear people who were saved talking about...
St. Anselm of Canterbury
Feast Day: April 21
St. Anselm, a Benedictine monk who lived during the 11th ...
Saint María Josefa of the Heart of Jesus
Feast Day - March 20
Saint María Josefa felt called to religious life at a yo...
Is religion really the cause of all the world’s problems?
It’s great to get an opportunity to answer this question. It pops up a lot in va...
Lectio Divina - Praying through the year with Scripture
Are we doing good deeds for the right reasons?
Gospel for March 1, 2017, Ash ...
Upcoming synod needs young people’s voices
Initiating preparations for a meeting of the Synod of Bishops focused on youth, ...
What do you say when a co-worker asks why we worship Mary and the saints?
In 2017, Theology 101 is focusing on the topic of evangelization. Specifically, ...
What do you say when a co-worker asks you about being Catholic?
This year, Theology 101 will focus on the topic of evangelization. Specifically,...
Discussion Guide for January/February 2017
Marriage Matters
As we read in this column, a healthy ordering of our priorit...
Apologetics or Apologizing?
Dear Fr. Joe: Whenever I hear people talking about apologetics, I get confused. ...
St. Polycarp, first heard the Gospel from Jesus' apostles
Feast Day: February 23
As the bishop of Smyrna in the second century, St. Pol...
Lectio Divina – Praying through the year with Scripture
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at...
Three American bishops elevated to cardinal
Three American bishops were elevated to the College of Cardinals on November 19:...
Calls for unity, new beatitudes in Sweden
On a visit to Sweden commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Refor...
How do I pray for someone to come back to God this Advent?
First of all, don’t worry about what words to use when you begin to pray for som...
Discussion Guide December 2016
Marriage MattersDiscuss ways in which estranged family members might approach on...
St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli
Virginia Centurione, born into a noble family in Genoa, Italy, in 1587, was forc...
Did we do the wrong thing by cremating my dad?
Thanks for asking this – I have had a lot of people ask about this so I am going...
Lessons in mercy: The parable of the sower
I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also...
St. Charles Borromeo, A tireless reformer
Feast Day: November 4
Born amidst the turmoil of the Protestant Reformation a...
Keeping God in your life during a hectic day
HOW CAN I KEEP GOD PRESENT IN MY LIFE DURING A HECTIC WORK/SCHOOL SCHEDULE? HOW ...
Canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa
Pope Francis declared Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta a saint on Sept. 4 befor...
How can I invite my family and friends back to church?
What a great question – it can be such a difficult thing to invite someone into ...
Lessons in experiencing mercy
Jesus teaches us that power should be used so that there might be life, and life...
Why is there so much violence in the world?
I write this article with a heavy heart.
We live in violent times. Some will ...
St. Faustina - Secretary of Divine Mercy
Born Helena Kowalska in the small Polish town of Lodz, St. Faustina was one of 1...
Church needs impassioned missionaries, not bureaucrats
In his Aug. 14 message to the pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis spoke...
Lessons in mercy: A woman caught in adultery
Near the middle of the Gospel of John (8:1-11), we encounter the story of a woma...
Can there be a ‘dark night’ in our relationship with God?
Some questions have come to me regarding the “dark night of the soul.” What does...
Lessons in Mercy: The unforgiving servant
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Mt 18:21-35) challenges each of us to re...
World Youth Day
Pope Francis maintained a busy schedule during his five-day visit to Poland for ...
St. Padre Pio: Leading others to God’s healing mercy
Feast day: September 23
Devoted to Christ from his childhood in Italy, where ...
Walk through the Holy Door of God's grace
As part of this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis designated a Holy Door at St...
Do I really have to talk about Jesus?
Dear Father Joe: To be a good Christian witness, is it enough to be a good perso...
Do you have a loved one who has left the Church?
Do you have a loved one who has left the Church? A spouse, a child, a sibling, a...
Priest, pastor, nun, brother: How are these roles different?
These questions sure made me do some research! It’s funny, but I found that ther...
Praying together in Jesus’ name
To gather in Christ’s name means we want to come together to seek the will of Go...
Mercy begins with spiritual conversion
And he told them a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not b...
Pope meets with Muslim scholar
After five years of silence, Pope Francis met with the Grand Imam of the renowne...
Lily of the Mohawks, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Feast Day July 14
Tekakwitha, born in 1656 to a Christian Algonquin mother and Mohawk father, embr...
What's the point of small faith-sharing groups?
All over the country, a movement is really taking shape in the form of small fai...
St. Thomas More: A man for all seasons
Feast Day: June 22
St. Thomas More was an educated man – a lawyer, husba...
Lessons in Mercy: The Lost Son
The motto for the Year of Mercy is “Merciful like the Father.” Perhaps no p...
Visiting refugee detention center on Greek island of Lesbos
“Europe today faces one of its most serious humanitarian crises since the end of...
Allow God’s mercy to come into your life
On December 8, 2015, Pope Francis, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, ...
Discussion Guide for June
Special Report: Amoris LaetitiaHow does Pope Francis’ exhortation to care for th...
St. Damien of Molokai “Leper priest” in Hawaii
Feast Day: May 10
Born into a poor, Belgian farming family in 1840, Joseph De...
Why You Should Read C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce"
In my capacity as regional bishop of the Santa Barbara pastoral region, which co...
Comfort the Sorrowful
I don’t know of any time or any season in the year when it is comfortable to tal...
Pope Francis: "Pray for Me"
The pope has instagram! The Holy Father created an account on the social media p...
Daniel Berrigan and Non-Violence
Last week Fr. Daniel Berrigan, S.J. passed away at the age of 94. Though many yo...
Blessed are the Merciful
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us the beatitudes. One of these beatitu...
How can I be a better Catholic?
Dear Fr. Joe: I came into the Church last year, and I really want to be the best...
Pope Francis Visits Mexico
Pope Francis visited Mexico from Feb. 12–17, during which he brought a message o...
Easter Grace Continues
After the Easter eggs are found and the chocolate is gone, we need to ask oursel...
Advocate of Peace, Advisors to Popes: Catherine of Siena
Feast Day: April 29
On the feast of the Annunciation, 1347, Jacopo and Lapa B...
What are our obligations to Planet Earth?
We begin by looking at animals and how our faith teaches us to treat them.
In...
The Good Samaritan: A Lesson in Mercy
The Parable in Brief
In order to understand the full context of the parable, ...
Mercy is love transformed
As we continue our year-long reflection on the nature of mercy in honor of the o...
Vatican issues decree on foot-washing ritual
Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree on Jan. 21 spec...
The power of praying for others
In the last column, I spoke about the need for, and the power of, intercession. ...
I knew God was telling me to go to Flint
Mary Jo’s response to FAITH magazine
Mary Jo Ervin expected her prayers to be...
Why should I go to Holy Week services?
I’m glad you asked that question: I know that, at first glance, the Holy Week sc...
St. Katharine Drexel, An American Missionary
Feast Day: March 3
St. Katharine Drexel was born to a rich and charitable fam...
The Humble Doorkeeper: St. Andre Bessette
Feast Day: January 7th
St. André was born Alfred Bessette in Quebec in 1845. ...
What is mercy?
Let us begin our year-long reflection on the nature of mercy in honor of the off...
Should we send our kids to Catholic School?
Someone told me that, as Catholics, we are supposed to send our kids to Catholic...
Pope to priests: "Be Pastors, not Officials"
Speaking to a group of priests and bishops at a conference to mark the 50th anni...
The power of prayer
I wonder how many of us seriously believe in the power of prayer? Do you? In ord...
Sister Therese teaches kids to speak Vietnamese so they can talk to their parents
Incongruence can be bewildering. Arriving in Michigan in 2002, Sister Therese Vu...
Humane Vitae and the sanctity of life
Since one of the themes discussed during the Ordinary Synod of Bishops related t...
The lasting legacy of Pope Francis in Philadelphia
The goal of the Mercy and Justice Initiative, set up before Pope Francis’ visit ...
Preparing our hearts to receive Jesus: Praying during Advent
1st Sunday of Advent: November 29
In this first week of Advent, let us focus ...
Break with sin and follow Christ: St. Fabiola
St. Fabiola (d. 399/400) was a Roman physician who divorced her first husband du...
Faith and law: How Paul brings them together
If the World will not hear the Divines, They must hear the Lawyers, Who will tea...
The Domestic Church
Since one of the themes discussed during the Ordinary Synod of Bishops related t...
Are Catholic superstitions OK?
Dear Father Joe: Is it OK to pray for Notre Dame to win their football games? Af...
“Life with the Oblates is what I needed”
Joe makes first vows
Joe Katarsky first encountered the Oblates when a studen...
Canonization of St. Junipero Serra
On Sept. 23, 2015, Pope Francis canonized Junípero Serra at the Basilica of the ...
Are there sins my pastor can't forgive?
Dear Father Joe: I read that, as part of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is ...
Pope presents gift to Library of Congress
During his visit to Capitol Hill in September for the World Meeting of Fami...
A vocabulary lesson for Mass
GREETINGS IN CHRIST! This article is going to be a little different. The last fe...
St. Thérèse of Lisieux | St. Teresa of Ávila
Feast Days: October 1 | October 15
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as St. ...
Do you have 15 minutes every day? Give it to God
What is meditation, really? Can we meditate in a way that is faithful to our Cat...
The Restoration of Marriage
The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family in October 2014 and the upcomin...
Instead of sitting on our hands, we can do something’ Al and Marian work with the aging
On April 29, Al and Marian Boucher coordinated the Senior Day of Reflection for ...
Celebrate the Power of the Cross
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on Sept. 14 on the Chu...
New auxiliary bishops for Los Angeles
Pope Francis appointed three new auxiliary bishops in July for the Archdiocese o...
A Conversation with Father David Rosenberg, New Director of the St. Francis Retreat Center
Father David Rosenberg, formerly pastor of St. Mary Parish, Charlotte, and St. A...
From a whisper to a shout: Father Fred’s call to the Augustinians
Being an Augustinian priest has given Father Fred Taggert a life of travel, teac...
Do I have to believe everything the Pope says about the environment?
Q: Dear Father Joe: The pope’s new encyclical on the environment contains assert...
Feast of the Archangels, Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
Feast day: Sept. 29
If you have ever wondered which saint to pray to for spee...
Living the Gospel in a radical way: Brother Francis Boylan, CSC
In the 1960s, there were only two ways for young men and women to become mission...
2015 Ordination
The Diocese of Lansing was blessed with three new priests on June 20. Bishop Ear...
The Death of God and the Loss of Human Dignity
I am sure by now that many of you have seen the appalling hidden-camera videos o...
Can you be anointed more than once?
Dear Father Joe: What is the difference between the sacrament of the sick and la...
Be Innocent: St. Maria Goretti
Feast day: July 6
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called the meek bless...
Why You Need Spiritual Food
Every third summer, the Catholic lectionary provides a series of readings for Su...
Pat prepares special needs students for sacraments
“As they said in Field of Dreams, build it and they will come,” says Pat Whaley....
Make time for an at home retreat
So often I hear people say: “Oh, I wish I could make a retreat, but my schedule ...
The ‘Pope Franciscus’ white rose
Two French horticulturists, Croix Dominique and Jacques Ranchon, recently named ...
Social justice in this world
Dear Fr. Joe: What exactly are the principles of social justice?
The fir...
Divorce and remarriage in the Church
The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family in October 2014 and the upcomin...
Join your suffering to Christ: St. Alice
Feast Day: June 15
St. Alice of Schaerbeek (which is near Brussels in Belgium...
Love, Tolerance, and the Making of Distinctions
Last week, I wrote a piece on Bruce Jenner's transformation into Caitlyn Jenner....
Prepare to receive the Eucharist: ‘A taste of eternity in time’
Throughout the years preceding the establishment of the feast of the Body and Bl...
Jane “goes green” for her faith
Jane Esper Vogel believes attention to climate and stewardship of the earth are ...
Theology 101
Continuing Theology 101’s exploration of the Church’s teaching on many of the th...
Tackling corruption in Naples and keeping church doors open
In Naples, Italy
On a day trip to Naples on March 21, Pope Francis spoke out ...
In the Know with Father Joe
Dear Father Joe: My Father was sick and recently died. I was touched by how the ...
Serving her patients and the Church
Sister Jane Mary, M.D. focuses on healing
When Sister Jane Mary Fir...
Draw Closer to the Blessed Mother this May
Honor your mother and ask her to lead you closer to her Son. She wants...
Mercy, the best path to truth: St. Pope John
Feast Day: May 18
During last October’s Extraordinary General Assembly of the...
Experience the real presence of Jesus during Adoration
In this season of Lent, we experience the great graces of Holy Thursday – but th...
Iris is a missionary in her own back yard
Iris Chen, a student at the University of Michigan, wanted her summers to make a...
The culture of non-commitment
The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family, held in October 2014, and the ...
Sister Theresa helps kids ‘believe in their own goodness’
Sister Theresa Fifer, O.S.F., believes her life with the Sisters of St. Francis ...
Focusing on families, Ukraine and 20 new cardinals
Speaking to more than 9,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis ...
What is RCIA?
Dear Fr. Joe: What is RCIA? I see and hear a lot about it at Church but I ...
The resurrection of Jesus the core of our faith
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the bedrock fact of our faith. It is ...
Develop a ‘drip’ mentality: St. Isidore of Seville
Feast Day: April 4
St. Isidore of Seville (560-636) is the Doctor of Educatio...
I don't think people at mass should dress 'like that'
Dear Fr. Joe: I’m appalled by some of the clothing I see at church on Sunday – e...
Make it a family affair: St. Gregory of Nyssa
Feast Day: March 9
Every Christian is called to holiness. By living out this ...
Single-parent families
The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family in October 2014 and the Ordinar...
Huge crowds greet the pope in Sri Lanka, Philippines
During Pope Francis’ week-long trip to Asia in mid-January, he called for reconc...
Pete ‘stands up’ for his faith
The director of i.d.9:16 helps to form ‘intentional disciples’
Pete Burak’s s...
4 steps to 'getting something' out of mass
I don’t ‘get much’ out of Mass.” “I really wonder why I go.” “I go because I hav...
Pray until something happens: St. Genevieve
Feast Day: January 3
PUSH is an acronym for “Pray Until Something Happens” an...
The pope in Turkey making strides toward unity
Pope Francis visited Turkey in late November to meet with political and religiou...
Mixed and inter-religious marriages
The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family, held in October 2014, and the ...
Called to Announce the Gospel!
Pastors and parish leaders gathered for two days, Nov. 19-20, to become energize...
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Dear Father Joe: So many good people I know have suffered horribly in the last m...
For 30 years Lisa has been bringing the Mass home
Lisa Whiting Dobson recalls the first time she heard that the Diocese of Lansing...
Monday Morning Alka-Seltzer - January 2015
January 26, 2014
There are those who think that their thoughts, words, and ac...
What does the synod mean?
Dear Fr. Joe: I keep reading conflicting things about the synod – some bloggers ...
Don’t be afraid to strengthen your marriage
It was November when Brook Manchester asked her husband, Scott, to join her at a...
Learn and share the faith: St. Peter Canisius
Feast Day: December 21
St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was a Jesuit priest (an...
The hard work of forgiveness: The greatest gift you can give and receive
The call to forgiveness, to reconciliation, to peace. This is the message of Adv...
Deacon Steve and the power of Alpha
Many people hunger for a relationship with Christ, and while most Catholic paris...
Monday Morning Alka-Seltzer - December 2014
December 29, 2014
O Lord, thank you for the gift of this day.
Help me to a...
Pope Francis blesses Paralympic athletes
Pope Francis gives a blessing during a special audience with Paralympic athletes...
The Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods
The “tenth word” of the Decalogue brings a close to the Ten Commandments by summ...
A busy teen on the path with Jesus
Shannon Wohlfert’s senior year in high school is busy with the usual things. She...
Seek reconciliation even when it’s their fault
Bearing false witness? Well, that doesn’t apply to me. I have never been in a co...
The Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
The “eighth word” of the Decalogue continues to reveal to us how God desires us ...
Follow the stirrings of the Spirit: Blessed Gaius of Korea
Feast Day: November 15
There are times in life when we feel what could be the...
Why do I have to do all this for my kids’ religious ed?
Dear Fr. Joe: My parish expects parents to jump through a lot of ‘hoops’ in orde...
Monday Morning Alka-Seltzer - November 2014
November 24, 2014I don’t know who first uttered these words but they set forth a...
Pope visits Albania
From the Pope:
"The more men and women are at the service of others, the grea...
Why are Christians being persecuted in the middle east?
Dear Fr. Joe: I’m reading and hearing about all the horrible things happening to...
The Parable of the Talents
The attendance at our daily Mundelein Seminary on Labor Day weekend was sparse. ...
Revisiting the Argument from Motion
One of the unintended but happy consequences of the emergence of the new atheism...
How to be truthful in your personal prayer
Jesus told us clearly in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth and the life. N...
Meditate on the Passion of Christ: St. Paul of the Cross
Feast Day: October 20
Our culture abounds with “spiritual seekers” hungry for...
The Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal
The “seventh word” of the Decalogue primarily reveals to us that God wants us to...
Profile of an Evangelist - David Flint and the Pew Crew
“I grew up in a Catholic family. We attended St. Mary Parish in Williamston. Aft...
Pope Francis blesses Sudanese woman who refused to renounce her Christian faith
On July 24, Meriam Ibrahim, her husband, Daniel Wani, and their two young childr...
St. Hildegard of Bingen
Feast Day: September 17
The lives of saints are so instructive, in part, beca...
6 Ways to Steal Some Time for God
The Seventh Commandment, “Thou shall not steal,” tells us not to take for oursel...
Why should I believe in God?
Dear Father Joe: Why should I believe in God? Do you have proof he exists? ...
TAKE TIME to discern God’s will
Everyone asks themselves: What do I do with my life? We are free to choose whate...
What's the point of going to Church?
Dear Father Joe: I am spiritual, but I have a problem with organized religi...
The Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill
In the first three commandments, we receive the gifts of God’s self-revelation t...
St. Columba (Columcille)
Feast Day: June 9
When we hurt someone in some way, the right thing to do is ...
Freely Offer Forgiveness
We recently celebrated the greatest of feasts: Jesus’ resurrection from th...
Pope Francis canonizes two popes
On April 27, Pope Francis declared Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII saints ...
Why should I get married in the Church?
Dear Father Joe: My parents are demanding that my fiancée and I get married in t...
By Their Side at Mother Teresa House
Karen Bussey finds in the midst of dying there is precious life.
At Mother T...
President Obama and Pope Francis meet at Vatican
Pope Francis gave President Barack Obama a red leather bound copy of his apostol...
The Danger of Soft Atheism
A very instructive exchange between Gary Gutting, a philosophy professor at Notr...
Ask Jesus to Increase Your Faith
There are two pivotal passages in John’s Gospel concerning the resurrection of C...
Why can't Catholics be Masons?
Dear Father Joe: What is the Church’s teaching regarding being a member of a Fre...
The Fourth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother
In the first three commandments, we receive the gifts of God’s self-revelation t...
Profile of an Evangelist - Theresa’s life as her parents’ care-giver
‘Why shouldn’t I?’ Theresa’s life as her parents’ care-giver
Theresa Lingl ch...
Blessed Juliana of Norwich
Feast Day: May 13The word “sin” can be defined as “to miss the mark.” In this se...
Learn from sinfulness Blessed Juliana of Norwich
Feast Day: May 13
The word “sin” can be defined as “to miss the mark.” In thi...
Find Time to Reach Out to Others
A few weeks ago, I came across an article that astounded me. You may have seen i...
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep it Holy
I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, t...
Why Jesus is God: A Response to Bart Ehrman
Well, it’s Easter time, and that means that the mainstream media and publishing ...
Profile of an Evangelist - Jen guides others to discipleship
Jen Brown’s work as coordinator of evangelization and discipleship for Immaculat...
St. Bernadette
Feast Day: April 16
Every once in a while we are able to catch a vivid glimps...
The Second Commandment - You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, ...
Profile of an Evangelist - March 2014
Feeling the power of FAITH SHARING
Ed Welch, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas/S...
What is Our Fundamental Problem?
The first reading for Mass on the first Sunday of Lent this year, taken from Gen...
A Different Approach to Lent
In this season of Lent, I would like to ask you to consider a different approach...
My parish closed AND I HATE THE CHANGES
Dear Father Joe: My parish has merged with another one and everything is ch...
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Feast Day: March 18
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315–386) lived in a time of conti...
Priest, Prophet and King
A classic characterization of Jesus is that he ispriest, prophet, and king.Aspri...
St. Genoveva Torres Morales
Feast Day: January 5
Liberty is a perennial subject of concern in our society...
The First Commandment I am the Lord your God
I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, t...
Profile of an evangelist
Why Lillah is a super volunteer
Lillah Olson’s faith is strengthened by her a...
How do you Live Like You’re a Temple of God?
With the first Sunday of Advent just over a month ago, the Church began its new ...
"Why Goodness Depends on God"
One of the commonest observations made by opponents of religion is that we don’t...
Why is the word ‘catholic’ in the Methodist Creed?
Dear Father Joe: Why does it say ‘catholic’ in the middle of the Creed in the Me...
I feel cheap when my sister overspends
My sister spends too much on Christmas gifts for my kids – way more than I can a...
A Roadmap for Our Life in Christ The Beatitudes, part II
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a roadmap for being his faithful follo...
If You Don’t Pray Every Day, Start This Advent
We are in the Advent season and I have a proposal to make. The Year of Faith end...
Be Courageous St. Lucy
Feast Day: Dec. 13
The moral virtue of courage, or fortitude, enables us to s...
Parents the second time around
Tom and Angie are raising their three grandchildren – Kierstin, Kendra and Jacob...
I hear there is a new Anglican rite, along with married priests. How does this work?
Dear Father Joe: I hear there is a new Anglican rite, along with married priests...
A roadmap for our life in Christ – The Beatitudes
As we now move into the “Third Pillar” of the Catechism, we will learn that the ...
How can you really give thanks at Thanksgiving?
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. (Psalm 30:13)We give thanks to...
Am I really supposed to be an evangelist?
Dear Fr. Joe: I hear talk that we are supposed to evangelize, but I’m not sure I...
Be Moved St. Bavo
Feast day: October 1In an instant, everything can change; a life can be forever ...
The celebration of the Christian mystery: Sacraments of Initiation
Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to share in the divine nature by confor...
Hannah Arendt
The appearance of an art house film on the philosopher Hannah Arendt has sparked...
How your life can be transformed through the Eucharist
As I travel around this country speaking in so many parishes and dioceses, and a...
Mimic the mustard seed St. Kieran
Feast Day: September 9St. Kieran (or Ciaran), unlike most of the Irish saints, w...
Your Life is Not About You
Time Magazine’s recent cover story “The Childfree Life” has generated a good dea...
What if we don’t have a Catholic funeral – do we still go to heaven?
Dear Fr. Joe: I am worried my children will not have a funeral Mass for me – can...
Why Faith is Indeed a Light
In “new” atheist and secularist circles today, faith is regularly ridiculed. It ...
How can I tell what my vocation is?
Dear Fr. Joe: How do you really know what your vocation is – is it just a feelin...
World War Z and the Council of Trent
There were a number of reasons why I liked “World War Z,” the film based on Max ...
Sacraments - the way God is really present to us
The story of God and humanity is a story of God’s invitation for us to enter int...
Superman, General Zod, and God
I didn’t really care for the latest cinematic iteration of the Superman myth. Li...
How to find a moment of silence in your hectic life
In our society today, we are inundated with so many material things and desires....
The missionary of the Rosary Saint Dominic
Feast Day: August 8In 1208, Pope Innocent III began a seven year crusade against...
The Preachings of F. Scott Fitzgerald
The appearance of yet another film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great G...
Liturgy: Our grateful response to God’s great gift
In Christian tradition, the word “liturgy” describes the participation of the Pe...
Sympathy for the Devil: What happens when Love turns into tolerance
Some years ago, The New Yorker ran a cartoon that perfectly lampooned the loopy ...
Prayers of perseverance and partnership – The Novena
I want to offer you some reflections on a centuries-old custom in the Catholic C...
Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God St. Germaine Cousin
Feast Day: June 15
St. Germaine Cousin (1579-1601) is the patron for victims ...
Pentecost How the Church began
The Catechism describes the Church as both the “means and the goal of God’s plan...
How to pray to the Holy Spirit
Fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send for...
Pay attention to the fruit St. Rose Venerini
Feast Day: May 7We have all no doubt heard that a tree can be known by its fruit...
Is it really wrong to cheat on exams? Isn’t it just ‘helping’ each other?
Dear Fr. Joe: A lot of my friends cheat on their exams and don’t see anything wr...
The Adventure of Classical Morality
One of the most significant fault lines in Western culture opened up in the sixt...
We believe in the Holy Trinity What does that mean?
Our being made for communion with God makes perfect sense since God has revealed...
Lent is over, here’s how to focus on Easter
Before you read any further, go and get your Bible. First, read John 20: 1-29. I...
Live Mercifully St. Julie Billiart
Feast Day: April 8“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” This ...
Why should I stay Catholic?
Dear Fr. Joe: It seems to me that every day there is a new scandal in the Church...
How can we forget that our son stole from us?
Dear Fr. Joe: Our son stole a lot of money from us. He has apologized, and we fo...
What are the ways we know God?
Part 2 of a year-long study of the Catechism
The Catechism begins by expoundi...
This New Francis
I had an excellent vantage point for the presentation of Pope Francis to the wor...
Let’s make Lent count!
In this Year of Faith, let’s make Lent “count” in a particular way. Let me expla...
Strive for Perfection
Feast Day: March 2St. Angela of the Cross (1846- 1932) founded the Institute of ...
To Evangelize through Beauty
In his masterpiece Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh implicitly lays out a prog...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part 2 of a year-long study of the Catechism
In his 1992 Apostolic Constituti...
Praying at the manger Devotions for the season
Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, w...
Look back to move forward St. Giuseppe Maria Tommasi
Feast Day: Jan. 1
We live in a culture obsessed with the “new,” with a...
How do I keep my New Year’s resolution to be holy?
Dear Fr. Joe: It seems that once again, we’re approaching another new year and, ...
The Hobbit and the Gospel
Like Star Wars, The Divine Comedy, and Moby Dick, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit i...
The fundamental truth
Part 1 of a year-long study of the Catechism
Pope Benedict XVI announced a Ye...
December 2012 - Spiritual Fitness
Praying at the manger, Devotions for the season
I remember when I was a child...
Be humble St. John of the Cross
Feast Day: Dec. 14
St. John of the Cross, born Juan de Yepes Álvarez, (June 2...
Is Dec. 25 really Jesus’ birthday?
Dear Fr. Joe: I heard that Christmas is simply a pagan feast that Christians too...
Feed the Hungry, Care for the Sick St. Martin de Porres
Feast: Nov. 3
St. Martin de Porres (Dec. 9, 1579 – Nov. 3, 1639) was a lay Do...
Why can’t we get married outside?
Dear Fr. Joe: I recently became engaged and set up a meeting with our priest. We...
What are the differences among Judaism, Christianity and Islam?
Three major religions are rooted in the Abrahamic tradition: Judaism, Islam and ...
Prayers for the dead
This month is the first full month of the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Bened...
Praying the rosary
Since Oct. 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, I want to devote my column ...
How do I shake this funk I am in?
Dear Fr. Joe: I’m really in a funk and I can’t shake it. At college, I find that...
Resisting an Aggressive Secularism
It was with barely concealed delight that “Chicago Sun-Times” columnist Neil Ste...
Why don’t we have to follow all the laws of the Old Testament?
Why don’t we follow all the laws of the Old Testament regarding circumcision, ko...
Lessons from the path to holiness: take up your cross Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Blessed Teresa, or Mother Teresa, (Aug. 26, 1910 – Sept. 5, 1997) was born Agnes...
A daily prayer of thanksgiving The Angelus
Diocese of Lansing, Year of Prayer
The Apostle Paul reminds us to “pray uncea...
What’s the point of asking God for what we want?
Dear Fr. Joe: Why do we ask God for things? Doesn’t he just do what he wants and...
Why the Sciences will never Disprove the Existence of God
Given the ruminations of Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, on...
Revisiting the Spiritual Warfare
In the sixth chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, we find the account of Jesus sending ...
The Great Both/And of Catholic Social Teaching
For many on the left, Paul Ryan is a menace, the very embodiment of cold, indiff...
What does the Church teach about family planning?
In an earlier issue, we looked at why the Church teaches us to reject contracept...
Perpetua and Felicity
The heartbreaking account of the martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity was written ...
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Lansing...
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Lansing, and the Year of ...
How do we have hope?
Last month I wrote about the gift of faith: faith to believe that Christ died fo...
How do I Evangelize?
Rules for evanglizing
What did Jesus tell us about God the Father?
What did Jesus teach us about the Father that represented a radical departure fr...
St. Justin philosopher and martyr
Justin Martyr, was born at the end of the 1st Century, in a Roman settlement in ...
How are we to make sense of God’s justice in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, the people seem to experience God’s justice more so than G...
Dear Fr. Joe: What do you have to do to be excommunicated?
A. Well, I’m hoping you are asking this because you want to know and not as some...
St. Philip Neri The Patron Saint of U.S. Special Forces
St. Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy in 1515. He gave up worldly goods as...
Let the Holy Spirit radically change your life
On the last Sunday of this month, May 27, we celebrate the great feast of Pentec...
Dear Fr. Joe: Why is the Church refusing to pay for birth control?
A. This is a great and timely question. Right now, one of the core issues the Ch...
St. Julie The patron saint against illness and disease
St. Julie Billart was born in 1751 in France, the sixth of seven children.
S...
Mercy abides in all times of strife
I want to come back to a favorite passage of mine in Scripture as we enter this ...
How to choose God's way
In last month’s issue, I wrote about the mercy of God. Mercy is part of the reve...
Can we read the Old Testament as History? Science? Poetry? Law?
How should we read the Old Testament? Is it history, science, law, poetry – all ...
Dear Fr. Joe: What do I say when people ask, ‘Are Catholics really Christian?’
A. This is a great question and, the answer is going to go a lot of places, so s...
St. Joseph husband of Mary
St Joseph was the husband of the Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ. ...
How do I report liturgical abuse?
A. Thank you for this question! In many ways, you’ve captured an important...
St. Basil from a family of saints
St. Basil was born in 330 in what is present-day Turkey. His family includes St....
Why we all need mercy
So often we associate it with kindness, generosity or going the extra mile. Perh...
What does the Church mean when it says that the sacred Scriptures are inspired?
In plain terms, the notion of the sacred Scriptures as inspired means that what ...
The new Roman Missal: What’s changed? What hasn’t?
In the past several years, a lot of ink has been spilled about the “changes to t...
Why don’t parents take their crying babies out of Mass?
A. The first thing I think of is a great story from Bishop Sheen. The story goes...
Bow down: The meaning of the Christmas crèche
The word was made flesh. The very source of life, the creator of all things of u...
Too 'connected' to connect?
Computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, Facebook, Twitter – all new technology, ne...
What will we be saying at Mass? The Communion Rite
On the night before he died, Jesus ate supper with his Apostles. He broke bread,...
What do I say when someone dies?
A. This is a great question – it’s one that affords us a chance to look at how w...
Dear Fr. Joe: How do I go to confession?
A. Last time, I talked about how to go to confession. We made an examination of ...
Is God telling you 'Enough!?'
Recently, I read an article by Cardinal Francis George of Chicago in which he de...
It is right to give God thanks and praise: The Eucharistic Prayer
The eucharistic prayer is the center and summit of our entire celebration (GIRM ...
St. Clare the patron saint of television
St. Clare was born on July 16, 1194, in Assisi, Italy.
At age 18, her p...
What will we be saying at Mass? Preface Dialogue, Preface and Sanctus
The center and summit of the Mass is the eucharistic prayer, our great prayer of...
Dear Fr. Joe: How do I go to confession?
A. What a great thing that you’ve decided to return to the sacrament of reconcil...
Forget not love
Well, here we are at the height of the vacation season. Even if you are not goin...
Divine mercy how to accept God’s forgiveness
On May 1, we celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy and Pope John Paul II’s beatif...
St. Irenaeus He helped decide what books went in the Bible
Irenaeus was born in the 2nd century A.D. During a time when others converted as...
What will we be praying at Mass? The presidential prayers - propers
Four times during the Mass, the priest, who presides over the assembly inthe per...
Dear Fr. Joe: What exactly are the principlesof social justice?
A. So, last issue, we looked at the idea of social justice. This month, we are g...
Dear Fr. Joe: What is social justice?
A. This is a great question! These are confusing times for American Catholics, I...
How can we bemore like Mary?
It is May – the month of the Blessed Mother and the month in which we honor our ...
St. Athanasius, The great defender of the faith
Athanasius was born around 293 in the culturally diverse city of Alexandria, Egy...
The Roman Missal: The Gloria
Adoxology is a “word of praise” and we have several in our Mass that usually con...
St. Crescentia Hoess ’finding yourself’ by finding God
Born Anna Hoess in 1682, she was raised devoutly by her parents Matthias and Luc...
The Roman Missal: The Penitential Act
An ancient document called the Didache (c.60) noted that the people came togethe...
Dear Fr. Joe: Is adoration idolatry?
A. You know, I hear this one a lot. Basically, it stems from some misunderstandi...
The touch of the Master’s hand
When I was about 9 or 10, I was asked to memorize the poem “Touch of the Master’...
Don't let your emotions rule you
Our emotions, given us by the Lord, are intended to serve – to serve the truth i...
St. Patrick the cross-cultural saint
Patron of Ireland, Engineers, and Paralegals.
Patrick was born in Britain, bu...
What will we be saying differently at Mass?
On the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, 2011, all Catholic churches in the Unite...
Dear Fr. Joe: I can’t carry a tune – why do we have to sing everything at Mass?
A: I’ve gotten a few of these types of questions. It seems that more and more of...
Dear Fr. Joe: Is it OK to parish shop?
A. OK, this may not be the answer you wanted to hear, but ... it depends.
Fir...
Why should you forgive?
Why should we forgive each other? Aren’t some things simply unforgivable?
For...
Translating the Roman Missal
For more than 2,000 years, the Church has paid careful attention to how our pray...
The history of liturgical books – Part II
Rita Thiron is director of the Office of Worship for the Catholic Diocese of Lan...
Dear Fr. Joe: Mom doesn’t want life support is that OK?
A: This is such a complex and difficult issue. It’s a good thing that you are wo...
The Lord is coming
The readings for the First Sunday of Advent are a marvelous “launching pad” for ...
If you want to be great you must be a servant
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we...
The history of liturgical books
We reverently carry in the Book of Gospels in the opening procession of Mass. Th...
Dear Fr. Joe: Why won’t our pastor bless children?
A: This has been coming up more and more in discussions – let’s take a look at i...
Why do we do that at Mass?
In the middle of the second century, St. Justin Martyr wrote to Antonius Pius ex...
Dear Fr. Joe: How does the pope pick his name?
A: Now there’s an interesting question!
If you take a peek at the Bible, you’...
Praying with the saints of autumn
During October, we celebrate some significant feast days: St. Therese of the Chi...
Dear Fr. Joe: What does it mean to be a practicing Catholic?
A: It’s wild, but as much as we throw around the phrase “practicing Catholic,” i...
St. Dominic, the boy saint
Feast Day: March 9
Patron saint: of boys, children’s choirs, choir boys, choi...
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Feast Day: July 31
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in Loyola, Guipuzc...
‘With hearts and hands and voices’
On Dec.4, 1963, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the bishops of the world passed the...
Dear Fr. Joe: So, why can’t I go to Communion if I have committed a mortal sin?
A: Right. This one is a follow-up to a recent column where I explained what a mo...
Is there one 'right' way to receive Communion?
A: I’ve gotten this one and variations on it from a few readers – I hope my info...
St. Vigilius of Trent
Feast Day: June 26
Vigilius of Trent was born in about 353 to patrician paren...
Singing at liturgy
Part 3 of a 14-part series
When they crossed through the Red Sea, the Old Tes...
Celebrating the feasts of summer
This month, we are going to do a bit of a different reflection. June is so rich ...
Dear Fr. Joe: is it OK to believe in space aliens?
A. OK – good stuff!
The L’Osservatore Romano is the somewhat official newspap...
This “flower” died rather than execute Christians
Feast Day: May 4
St. Florian of Lorch was born in the third century – his nam...
A different way to track time – the liturgical year
We live by our schedules. We check the clock, consult our electronic datebooks, ...
I don’t like my pastor. What do I do?
A: I’m sorry this is happening. It’s a tough thing for sure. I remember experien...
‘Another rock’ St. Peter Chanel
Feast Day: April 28
Peter Louis Mary Chanel was born on July 12, 1803, in Cie...
Same Mass – new words What is liturgy? Part 1 of a 14-part series
In the next year or so, a new edition of the Roman Missal will be issued. You wi...
Do you have the faith of Mary Magdalen? Or doubting Thomas?
To begin this month’s spiritual journey, read the Gospel of John, chapter 20.
...
If God forgives, why confess to a priest?
A: This is a really relevant issue for us right now in Lent.
We start by look...
A ‘pearl’ of great value – St. Margaret Clitherow
Feast Day: March 26
Margaret Middleton was born in 1556. She was one of five ...
How can you know what the Bible really means?
Father Robert Schoenstene, S.S.L., is Assistant Professor, Department of Biblica...
4 steps to a humble heart
"Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteous...
Dear Fr. Joe: Is the world ending in 2012?
A: I’ve been getting a bunch of these…let’s get right to it.
First of all, le...
A teacher of women
Feast Day: January 27
Angela Merici was born in Desenzano on March 24, 1474. ...
Q: What does the church mean when it says that the Sacred Scriptures are inspired?
Father Robert Schoenstene, S.S.L., is Assistant Professor, Department of Biblica...
Where there is love, nothing else matters
"Great crowds were traveling with Jesus and he turned and addressed them, ‘If an...
Dear Fr. Joe: What’s proper etiquette at Mass?
Q: When I drank from the cup at Communion last week, I saw a soggy piece of some...
How would you explain theology to a teenager?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
4 exercises for the 4 Sundays of Advent
Somewhere between 1942 and 1945, my uncles made several visits home from the war...
Dear Fr. Joe: How can I convince my kids that going to Mass is not about being entertained?
A: You know, I get this question a lot and have spent a good deal of time ...
What can we learn from the universal church?
Q: The American church is sometimes said to see its own issues as universal. Wha...
New Year in November? Making Christ the King of your life
On Nov. 22, we bring the church year to a close with the celebration of the Feas...
From bread to roses Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Feast Day: November 17
Elizabeth was born in 1207, and was the daughter of Ki...
Whoever wants to be great must be a servant
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we...
Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska the “star of the sea”
Feast Day: Oct. 11
Patron Saint of: exiles and sick people
Sophia Camille ...
Dear Fr. Joe: What is a practicing Catholic?
A: It’s wild, but as much as we throw around the phrase “practicing Catholic,” i...
Why do we have deacons?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
Dear Fr. Joe: Was there really a Pope Joan?
Sorry, folks – but while there have been popes and lots of Joans, there’s never ...
How to calm the storms in your life
"On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the o...
St. Joseph Cupertino
Feast Day: Sept. 18
Patron Saint of: aviation, astronauts, people with mental h...
What was the Second Vatican Council really like?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
Dear Fr. Joe: Does God know what we are going to do before we do it?
Such a good question deserves an absolutely crazy answer. To that end, I’m start...
“Do not be afraid”
This month, I want to take another look at the issue of faith in Christ. Times a...
How priests’ lives are changing
Q. As the number of clergy decrease, how do you see the role of the parish pries...
Dear Fr. Joe: If God knows everything, what is the point of free will?
A. This is one of the hardest questions I’ve had to work on – what a great chall...
Apostle of Germany
Feast Day: June 5
Patron saint: of Germany and the Netherlands, brewers, file...
Who is Jesus?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
Dear Fr. Joe: Can you please tell me why Catholics pray to saints?
As we discussed last month, we are all in the process of becoming perfect creatu...
Saint Hilary of Arles
Feast day: May 5
Patron saint: of France
Canonized: precongregation
Mea...
Who are we – in Christ?
Do we really know who we are in Christ? Do we really understand our identi...
Talking back to the devil
Exercises:
How do we defeat temptation?
One step that is little used is t...
The angel of judgment - Saint Vincent Ferrer
Feast day: April 5
Patron saint: brick makers, builders, construction workers...
How would you explain theology to a teenager?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
Dear Fr. Joe: Can you please tell me why Catholics pray for the deceased?
How about this: What if I made your question into two questions and answered bot...
Close to Christ?
When I was very young, I was introduced to the world of gasoline, grease, oil, b...
Pray alone or together?
Q. We’ve seen a decline in Mass attendance over the last couple of decades. Has ...
Dear Fr. Joe: What is purgatory?
A. When I was young, I thought “purgatory” was Mom’s cute nickname for me …
W...
The peacemaker – Saint Casimir
Feast Day: March 4
Patron saint: of Poland and Lithuania
Canonized: 1522
...
The road to hope
On the Wednesday after Easter, the church frequently uses the Gospel of Luke, Ch...
Why do we need the church?
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on many comm...
15 minutes a day – how do I make Scripture part of my everyday life?
When I was a little girl of 6, I began 10 years of public school education. (No ...
Dear Fr. Joe: What does it mean to be "saved"?
A. The short answer is “yes,” but I get paid by the word, so I’m going to go ahe...
“Mary of the Gaels” Saint Brigid
Feast day: Feb. 1
Patron saint of: Ireland, poets, dairymaids, blacksmiths, h...
Did God create evil?
FAITH interviewed Father Gladstone Stevens, who is vice-rector of St. Mary ...
Dear Fr. Joe: Can Catholics be orthodox?
A. Great question – it’s funny how often we are not careful with our terminology...