Praying for perspective: A man and wife make their final reservations

The purchase of a cemetery plot is conducted with family and friends—the future visitors to Mount Olivet—in mind By George Valadie We finally made our reservations. We’ve been talking about it for some time now. It’s not that we’re all that pumped about going. You know the sort of thing …

He dwells among us: ‘My sacrifice and yours’

Every day should be a series of offertories where we offer ourselves to Christ By Bishop Richard F. Stika “No one shall appear before [the Lord] empty-handed” (Exodus 23:15). To those who say, “I don’t get anything out of attending Mass,” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen would answer, “It’s because you …

1

Praying for perspective: Heroes of the ages

Who do you identify with? Your answer may surprise you By George Valadie A few years ago, I attended a principals conference for more than 100 school leaders, a mixture of young and old, white and black, Catholic, private, public. The conference facilitator opened by grouping us by our age, …

He dwells among us: Come Creator Spirit

Beautiful hymn also serves as a prayer to the Giver of Life, who makes all things new By Bishop Richard F. Stika The Easter season that culminates with Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on May 20, is a season also for the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation. As …

Marriage enrichment: Giving up procrastinating ends up helping marriage

A timely Lenten goal has an unexpected benefit, and longest-married couples can teach the same lesson By Marian Christiana Happy Easter season! I hope you all had a very fulfilling Lenten season and are rejoicing in the Risen Lord. I have to admit that my Lenten journey was a bit …

Praying for Perspective: Seeing oneself more like Joseph of Arimathea

When thinking about what Joseph wrestled with on that long-ago Good Friday, the question comes: Can we do more? By George Valadie Take a minute, think back, it wasn’t that long ago really— try to recall where you were at noon on Good Friday? Though some were lucky enough to …

He dwells among us: Do not be afraid of God’s mercy

Ensure that the suffering Jesus underwent in His Passion has its Easter triumph in our hearts By Bishop Richard F. Stika Easter is so special that the Church celebrates it over eight days—an octave—culminating on the following Sunday, which we call “Divine Mercy Sunday.” To understand why this second Sunday …

He dwells among us: Beautiful cathedral, holy priesthood

The work of beautifying our soul must be a holy endeavor that continues throughout our mortal life By Bishop Richard F. Stika Since the dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 3, so many have commented to me how beautiful our new cathedral is. …

He dwells among us: Becoming cathedrals of God

Cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he builds you into a beautiful sacred dwelling of his love By Bishop Richard F. Stika I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of the Lord.”And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. — Psalm …

Living the Readings: Our cathedral: the mission begins

The new Sacred Heart Cathedral joins all that came before it By Father Joseph Brando What is the function of the Church? One answer may be that the Church exists to make our Risen Lord present in every corner of the world and in every human soul. That job is …

1

The apostolic pardon

Guest Column by Father Arthur Torres Barona As priests at Sacred Heart Cathedral, we receive phone calls almost every day asking us to come to the hospital or the nursing home to administer the so-called Last Rites to the dying. Not long ago, a faithful parishioner called me to come …