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 …
Holy Week wasn’t so ‘holy’ for everyone
But the torture and betrayal of those days call us to live a life that is By George Valadie I can’t know for sure, but I’m thinking it will likely be Holy Week when this column arrives at your home. At the risk of being scandalous, and possibly excommunicated, I’ve …
Celebrating Holy Week
May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your hearts this Easter season By Bishop Mark Beckman Dear Brothers and Sisters, Holy Week marks the central week of our liturgical year. Each year we commemorate the sacred events that mark our entrance into the great Christian Passover. The week begins …
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The Holy Fathers on the gifts of the Spirit
Confirmation allows us to experience a ‘personal Pentecost’ that leads to new life in the Spirit By Father Randy Stice In last month’s column, I looked at how the sacrament of confirmation fulfilled Bishop Mark Beckman’s prayer for a new Pentecost and his desire to equip our young people. Confirmation …
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Church’s teaching on immigration is clear
The Church cares for everyone, regardless of their status as legal or illegal By Deacon Bob Hunt There has been a great ruckus since Donald Trump became president over the role of the Church in politics. This was true when Joe Biden, who insisted that he was a devout Catholic, …
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Lenten ‘madness’ can make us all better
The fight for spiritual growth is harder when the opponent is ourselves By George Valadie I love “March Madness.” Our whole family does. If you’re not familiar, it’s a phrase that originated at the high-school level, but once uttered on national TV has since become synonymous with the season-ending NCAA …
Lent: A spiritual springtime
Practical thoughts on celebrating the Lenten season that is upon us By Bishop Mark Beckman Lent is the time each year when we are immersed more deeply in the mystery of Jesus Christ. During the course of the year, it is easy to lose track of what being a Christian …
Focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
They represent the totality of the Christian life, which calls us out of ourselves By Deacon Bob Hunt Lent is a season of transformation. The Church calls us to focus on three aspects of our Christian life: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But focusing on these aspects of the Christian life …
Unspoken love is real, but not with God
St. Valentine’s legacy was as priest, martyr, rebel, and protector of forbidden love By George Valadie Hoping you have a happy Valentine’s Day! Or that at least you don’t mess it up. I’ve done that on occasion. You’d think since it originated somewhere in the 14th century, we’d have figured …
CCETN: A beacon of hope
Imagining a world without Catholic Charities is difficult and disheartening By John Mecklenborg Looking back on Inauguration Day, it’s easy to feel as if you are peering across the stern toward a fading shoreline. The emergent waters of this new administration are tempestuous—like a Nor’easter overwhelming the weary and making …
