The reasons include revealing for all to see the fullness of God’s justice and glory By Deacon Bob Hunt In the Book of Revelation 5:1-5, John describes a vision of a new heaven and new earth that represents the culmination of God’s kingdom. The old order has passed away. The …
The Eucharist and the sacrament of holy orders
The interplay between them goes back to the Upper Room, where they were instituted By Father Randy Stice “All the sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church, namely Christ himself.”1 …
Dads and daughters and a day at the pool
Exhilaration and exasperation are common themes with family vacations By George Valadie She was all of 3. Maybe. He was 33. At least. But she was winning. By a lot. “Come on, you can do it. Just jump,” he said. Her brain was all about it. Her legs? Not so …
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With much gratitude
Reflecting on a year with God’s beauty and gift of faith By Bishop Beckman On a 30-day Ignatian Retreat, my director noted at one point that God gave us the gift of memory for two primary reasons: wisdom and gratitude. Wisdom gleaned from reflecting on our past mistakes and gratitude …
Diapers, pacifiers make way for caps, gowns
But it’s underneath where we find their aspirations and apprehensions By George Valadie Six in all was the total—at least for this year. In this new role as superintendent of our schools, I was blessed to attend six of our schools’ graduations this spring. I wanted to get to all …
The pope’s authority has a long history
His role as teacher, governor, and symbol of Christian unity dates even to Pentecost By Deacon Bob Hunt Why do we have a pope? The origins of the papacy, of course, are in the words of our Lord to St. Peter when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say …
Pope Francis on the Mass: ‘prayer and encounter
The meeting is ‘with God through His Word and the body and blood of Jesus’ By Father Randy Stice In 2017 and 2018, Pope Francis gave a series of catecheses on the Mass.1 In this column, I want to share our late Holy Father’s insights on the Mass. Pope Francis …
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Summer’s rest
Imagine when life was simpler and being together was divine By Bishop Mark Beckman Imagine a time when life was uncluttered and we rested with the Lord awhile. In our busy, fast-paced world, we all need a chance to find some genuine rest at times. Even Jesus recognized this fundamental …
Pope Leo XIV is a popular pick in Chicago
Windy City native sees town abuzz as new favorite son begins papacy By Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey My heart is full as well as my belly as I find myself in my boyhood home trying to imagine how Pope Leo XIV grew up just a stone’s throw from my Chicago neighborhood. …
The connection between Eucharist and penance
‘A love for the Eucharist leads to a growing appreciation of the sacrament of reconciliation’ By Father Randy Stice All the sacraments,” said the Second Vatican Council, “are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed towards it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth …
A dog and a daughter for a seat in the room
And trusting the Holy Spirit will touch the men who are called to be there By George Valadie On occasion you’ve heard someone toss out the question, “If you could share a meal with anyone, past or present, with whom would you choose to dine?” Sometimes this query is posed …
The reasons why Jesus kept His wounds
The disciples recognized the risen Lord from the signs of His suffering By Deacon Bob Hunt St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the great Carmelite reformer and mystic, was praying in the chapel of her community’s monastery when she received a vision of Jesus. After contemplating the vision for some time, …
