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 …
He dwells among us: The struggle for purity
The memory of God’s love and mercy always triumphs over sin and its memory By Bishop Richard F. Stika One hundred years ago, as the horrors of the First World War were in their final weeks, an even more terrible scourge than modern warfare was beginning to ravage the globe …
Marriage Enrichment: A few tips for reducing conflict on family vacations
Meeting together before the trip and going over expectations can help ‘avoid ruffled feathers’ on the journey By Marian Christiana Summer is upon us, and many of us will be using our vacation time to visit family. My husband, Ralph, and I just returned from such a vacation. I say …
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 …
He dwells among us: ‘My sacrifice and yours’
Every day should be a series of offertories where we offer ourselves to Christ By Bishop Richard F. Stika “No one shall appear before [the Lord] empty-handed” (Exodus 23:15). To those who say, “I don’t get anything out of attending Mass,” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen would answer, “It’s because you …
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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, …
He dwells among us: Come Creator Spirit
Beautiful hymn also serves as a prayer to the Giver of Life, who makes all things new By Bishop Richard F. Stika The Easter season that culminates with Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on May 20, is a season also for the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation. As …
Marriage enrichment: Giving up procrastinating ends up helping marriage
A timely Lenten goal has an unexpected benefit, and longest-married couples can teach the same lesson By Marian Christiana Happy Easter season! I hope you all had a very fulfilling Lenten season and are rejoicing in the Risen Lord. I have to admit that my Lenten journey was a bit …
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 …
He dwells among us: Do not be afraid of God’s mercy
Ensure that the suffering Jesus underwent in His Passion has its Easter triumph in our hearts By Bishop Richard F. Stika Easter is so special that the Church celebrates it over eight days—an octave—culminating on the following Sunday, which we call “Divine Mercy Sunday.” To understand why this second Sunday …
He dwells among us: Beautiful cathedral, holy priesthood
The work of beautifying our soul must be a holy endeavor that continues throughout our mortal life By Bishop Richard F. Stika Since the dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 3, so many have commented to me how beautiful our new cathedral is. …
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 …
