The utter lack of God in their lives leads people to commit mass killings or other depraved acts By Deacon Bob Hunt A couple of Gallup polls caught my eye recently. The first has gotten a bit of attention in the press and the second barely any at all. The …
2
After years of trying, he can say, ‘I hate golf’
But after some valuable time in the sport spent with his grandson, he may change his mind By George Valadie I hate golf. Again. This is at least the fourth or fifth time. We’ve battled often. I’ve lost every time. Soundly defeated. Vanquished not by an opponent with better skill …
Stretcher-bearers for God
Our sufferings have a salvific purpose in Christ’s sufferings when we ‘offer them up’ By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body, which …
A stroll through family history via school records
Some questions would garner a lawsuit today, but the info gathered was more complete By George Valadie The unexpected text was from my high school alma mater. We stay in touch now and again. Many we know have moved on but not everyone. Turns out one of this summer’s tasks …
Mountaintops or holler bottoms?
God is as present in the mundane as He is in the most extraordinary moments By Claire Collins Have you ever been to a big retreat, a Catholic conference, or had a larger-than-life spiritual encounter that left you forever changed? Often deemed “mountaintop experiences,” these moments can be incredibly impactful …
The Gospel of Mark and Church persecution
As churches and facilities are attacked for their pro-life beliefs, remember that Jesus walks ahead of us Deacon Bob Hunt The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers come at me to …
The strength to serve
Deacons serve the many hungers, corporal and spiritual, of God’s children By Bishop Richard F. Stika “The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the name of the Lord. My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all His people!” — Psalm 116:13-14 Answering the call. …
1
Four Herods
Herods of every age continue their assault against the sanctity of life, the conscience, and the Church By Bishop Richard F. Stika “In the days of Herod. …” — Luke 1:5 A seemingly endless battle. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade on the great solemnity of the Most Sacred …
4
‘Dear Lord, are you wanting me to step away?’
God seemingly stays silent after a prayer of the columnist on retiring from a career in schools By George Valadie Have you ever thought you were right but it turned out you weren’t? I mean not just a little off, but wrong, way wrong? The “I don’t even know how …
2
Deacons of the Church of the past and present
The columnist is ordained to the diaconate, experiencing ‘a great joy to be in formation with these men’ By Deacon Bob Hunt The sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles relates the choosing and the ordination of the first deacons of the Church. Complaints arose among the Christians that …
2
Mystery of iniquity
We live in a time ‘marked by distress’ and a trial that does not spare the Church By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and his anointed: …
Sobering statistics on mental health
Even great saints experienced mental illness; the Church has resources to help those who suffer By Bob Hunt The statistics on mental health in the United States are sobering. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, 52.9 million adults, or 21 percent of the adult population, experience a mental …