A lifetime in Catholic schools ‘has rubbed off on our girls’ By George Valadie We’ve just finished celebrating Catholic Schools Week, us and the rest of the nation. It was a much-needed idea born in the mid-’70s, the same time I stepped into my first classroom as a Catholic school …
Praying for perspective: Hoping to remain resolute in 2019
Will convenience help or hurt the wallet, waistline, and way of life? By George Valadie Happy New Year! How’s the new you coming? On my end, I’ve never been much for making a bunch of resolutions. In fairness, I should restate that; I’ve never been good at keeping a bunch …
Praying for perspective: Believing in Christmas
The Christ Child inspires children of all ages to keep the faith; good ol’ St. Nick is another story By George Valadie When did it happen to you? I remember as if it were yesterday. I know the place and the time, who was there and who was not. The …
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Praying for perspective: Learn one for the Gipper
Whether doggie day school or kids in college, teaching done right is a blessing to behold By George Valadie Have you ever sworn that you would never do something? I don’t mean the bad stuff or the real important—like breaking vows or committing sins. I mean the everyday stuff. Have …
Praying for perspective: What did Jesus write in the sand?
Was he asking for safety for the woman caught in adultery, whom he was about to forgive, or was he praying for us? By George Valadie Like many of you, I’m running out of words. Though I seem to have no shortage of anger. All in all, I’m having real …
Praying for perspective: Frogs make the heart grow fonder
A spouse’s absence can be a nearly unpardonable offense By George Valadie Well, I’ve discovered one really good thing. I know she can’t live without me … I think. I’ve known for a few years that she’s needed me — or someone — to operate the remotes. But now it’s …
Praying for Perspective: Pope Francis offers hope after death of a pet
A family believes ‘that if we ourselves ever get to heaven, we’ll get to see him, pet him—and feed him—again’ By George Valadie Thank goodness for Pope Francis! The woman would have crawled up in a hole and died herself if the man hadn’t offered her the hope she so …
Praying for Perspective: Have Ya Heard?
Today’s education system would do well to learn from the greatest Teacher By George Valadie You can imagine the scene. You may have seen it or possibly experienced it for yourself. It’s an annual event, coming around with the same regularity as Christmas or Easter or Groundhog Day. I was …
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 …
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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, …
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 …
Praying for perspective: Building the kingdom of God is a test of faith
By George Valadie It was 15 years ago in another city and diocese, but I remember as if it were yesterday. The building had some shape and a whole lot of walls, but not much else really. Some sections didn’t even have a roof yet. Dumb as it sounds, and …
