The Eucharistic Prayer has an invariable Preface and a ‘fuller summary of salvation history’ By Father Randy Stice In this series on the Eucharistic Prayer (EP), we have looked at Eucharistic Prayer I, the Roman Canon, which for centuries was the only Eucharistic Prayer used by the Roman Church, and …
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‘Influencers’ deride marriage as a life choice
The benefits of marriage are many and include greater financial stability, health, and happiness By Deacon Bob Hunt Last month, I wrote about a new survey showing that fully 80 percent of young adult regular churchgoers come from intact families, where they were raised by their biological parents who are …
Adventures in flying to and driving in Ireland
Over a 9,000-mile round trip, he doesn’t worry about who is in charge of the travelers’ safety By George Valadie The last time I wrote in this space, I was commenting on the challenges and resulting stress for those who need to travel by air these days. Though it’s probably …
Sitting around: at the movies or an airport
Spending time with grandkids or waiting on a flight—we should enjoy the journey that is life By George Valadie One of the real pleasures in my life is going to the movies. Good or bad, long or short, buttered or plain, I’ll go see just about anything. At least I …
Analyzing the decline in church attendance
Kids who grow up ‘in a continuously married home’ are more likely to go to church as young adults By Deacon Bob Hunt It’s impossible to keep up with the news, even the secular news, without occasionally coming across an article that addresses the decline in Christian faith and church …
Eucharistic Prayer I holds a privileged place
The Roman Canon has for centuries been a great prayer of thanksgiving and consecration Father Randy Stice In my July column, I began a series on the Eucharistic Prayer (EP) and gave examples from Eucharistic Prayer II, and in August I discussed Eucharistic Prayer III. This month I want to …
Turning a vacation into a pilgrimage
Adding faith to one of the most anticipated events of the year By Casey Keeley A journey becomes a pilgrimage as we discover, day by day, that the distance traveled is less important than the experience gained.”— Ernest Kurtz Vacation is one of the most looked-forward-to events of the year—a …
Mary freely chose to do what God asked
The Handmaid of the Lord ‘eagerly, happily, willfully assumed her role in God’s plan of salvation’ By Deacon Bob Hunt “Mary is the Mother of all the members of the Savior, because by her charity she has cooperated in the birth of the faithful in the Church. Mary is the …
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A closer look at Eucharistic Prayer III
Liturgical prayer—the words of the Mass—can enrich and inform our personal prayers By Father Randy Stice Last month I introduced the Eucharistic Prayer (EP), “the center and high point” of the Mass. The current liturgy has 13 Eucharistic Prayers. EP I (Roman Canon) was the only Eucharistic Prayer for many …
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He may be no saint but thinks like one
A recent acquaintance commits to a two-year sponsorship of a Ukrainian family By George Valadie Joe’s no saint, said so himself. Though I myself have never met one to compare. But I’m thinking he thinks like one might think. To be honest, I don’t really know Joe all that well, …
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Remembering Monsignor Pat Connor
A former student recalls his high school principal as being ‘one of the good guys’ By George Valadie We first met many years ago. “Hello, Father, it’s nice to meet you.” “Well, thank you, it’s nice to meet y’all, too. I really appreciate you inviting me. This is nice.” “Let …
A catechesis on the Eucharistic Prayers
Their theological and spiritual riches are ‘the heart and summit of the celebration’ of Mass By Father Randy Stice The center and high point” of the Mass is the Eucharistic Prayer, “the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification.” 1 Pope Benedict XVI describes it as action “in the highest sense of …