The books are grouped into four major sections in the Christian tradition By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM One challenge when reading the Old Testament is dealing with the amount of material contained therein. As a person reads along, he encounters narrative or story-like books or portions of books. The …
Virus and a death in the family make for ‘hellish week’
Every kid wants an extra day of spring break, but no one was hoping for a total school shutdown By George Valadie What a week! One of those unbelievable, don’t-ever-want-to-do-it-again sorts of weeks. I should begin by pointing out that because monthly diocesan newspapers function the way they do, columnists …
We do together what we can’t do alone
Sometimes a corporal work of mercy requires teamwork By George Valadie If you’re a routine reader of this column, then you may recall my wife had some foot surgery not long ago. If you’re not, let me begin by saying that my wife had some foot surgery not long ago. …
Real Presence, Real Friendship
St. John Pail II: The Eucharist is a mystery of presence, the perfect fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to remain with us until the end of the world By Bishop Richard F. Stika “No longer do I call you servants…I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I …
Love unites hearts, and hearts united unite wills
We can stumble, however, if we commit the common error of convincing ourselves that our will is God’s will By Bob Hunt “The chief effect of love is to unite the hearts of those who love each other so that they have the same will. Hence the more we submit …
Should we view the Bible as a historical book?
Understanding its diverse literary genres can allow for a more fruitful reading of it By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM Most people, when they think of the Bible, think of it as a book of great importance, which it is. It is also a rather complex book, or set of …
An offering pleasing to God
St. Gregory the Great: ‘The Mass will be a sacrifice for us to God, when we have made an offering of ourselves’ By Bishop Richard F. Stika O Lord, “let our sacrifice be in your presence today and find favor before you.” — Daniel 3:40 To those who say, “I …
A long day in a surgical waiting room
Moments of boredom and moments of action—and worry— fill a morning and an afternoon By George Valadie Jan. 14, 2020, 9:30 a.m.—The premise for this column has been my belief that life throws occasional craziness at us, and often our response is even crazier. So rethinking our perspective—or praying for …
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Understanding the Mass, Part I
There exists a dire need for a renewed catechesis upon the liturgy and the Eucharist By Bishop Richard F. Stika The Magi “were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary His mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage. Then they …
Holding on to Christmas
Wouldn’t it be nice if that special feeling stayed with us all year long? Stop reading. Look up. Over there in the corner. Is your Christmas tree still there? Lights glimmering, ornaments shining, star on top brightening your home? Or is it long gone? Tossed out or packed away with …
Goal of becoming a ‘good’ person falls short of sainthood
God became man so that men might become gods, which goes far beyond just doing the right thing By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM One objection to Christianity (and it seems religion in general) is the statement: “I don’t need religion to be a good person.” The implication in such …
Are miracles the key to sainthood?
The human factor can go a long way toward determining who’s included in the book By George Valadie Perhaps this would have been a better topic for November’s issue, but I ask you to think back to your favorite saint. The one you most admire from having read that book. …
