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, …
‘The pope chosen for us’
Pray the Holy Father may be for us a true shepherd after the Lord’s own heart By Bishop Mark Beckman Earlier this month as I was sitting at my desk, the bells of our cathedral church began to chime joyously. Glancing at my watch, I noticed it was shortly after …
‘Not head knowledge: a personal encounter’
Father Randy Stice encourages devotion to the Eucharist, ‘the wonder of the Mass,’ in his latest book By Gabrielle Nolan Initially drawn to the Catholic Church in the 1990s because of the Church’s teachings on the Holy Eucharist, Father Randy Stice decades later has written a book on cultivating a …
Examining the special graces of Easter
The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it ‘the Feast of feasts, the Solemnity of solemnities’ By Father Randy Stice In every celebration of Mass, wrote Pope Pius XII, Christ “continues that journey of immense mercy that He lovingly began in His mortal life.” In His journey with us in …
A prayer for everyone this Easter season
St. Paul: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing’ By Deacon Bob Hunt “We are an Easter people,” St. Augustine of Hippo proclaimed, “and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!” As we approach Easter Sunday and the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, our …
