Christmas evokes memories of people who decorated our lives during the sacred holiday By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Christmas time again. While it’s one thing to wish peace on earth o people of good will, those sentiments won’t fit in all cases (as much as you and I wish such sentiments …
Living the readings: Preparing for the end
We live in time and eternity as Christ offers us eternal life By Father Joseph Brando It may seem strange to many that the liturgical calendar begins with our preparation and celebration of the birth of the Messiah whereas our daily calendar (which is a Christian product) begins on the …
He dwells among us: Making our way home
The doors of mercy are open wide to receive us as we enter this Jubilee Year By Bishop Richard F. Stika Imagine what would have happened if the innkeeper in Bethlehem, instead of turning Mary and St. Joseph away, had welcomed them into his home and said, “Tell me about …
Praying for Perspective: Coming to terms
Writing too soon about the loss of a best friend By George Valadie I got the call on the 18th. Pat’s younger brother was on the other end of the line. “Hey George, just wanted to let you know that Pat’s in the hospital. He wasn’t feeling that well and …
Once upon a time: Re-examining the ‘lost’ sacrament
With all the discussion going on these days about the sacrament of confirmation, remarks are in order about the “lost” sacrament of initiation. By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Our bishop will soon promulgate the time for the sacrament, with instructions for its celebration. The pastor historically has been the key person …
He dwells among us: Gaining from our loss
With Thanksgiving upon us and Advent quickly approaching, I want to offer a few thoughts on something that affects everyone in one way or another: dealing with a loss. By Bishop Richard F. Stika I recently had the great with a number of remarkable individuals who know what it means …
Living the readings: A perfect slice of life
We receive wisdom when we’re in unity with God By Father Joseph Brando October turns green leaves into orange and red and playfully blows them to the ground so that we can hardly tell up from down. That’s the joy of fall. Earth and sky fuse together. October is the …
He dwell among us: I have a place for you
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, no one is orphaned, and all find their true home By Bishop Richard F. Stika Thirty-six years ago, I was a young seminarian, and several of my classmates and I drove from St. Louis to Chicago for St. John Paul II’s fi rst visit …
Marriage enrichment: We are pilgrims, not tourists!
Remembering what our ‘mission’ is, we must take Pope Francis’ words to heart By Marian Christiana I have just returned from the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, and I want to share a bit about our pilgrimage. Seventy-two pilgrims from our diocese traveled together by bus to all three …
Once upon a time: Pray that God will grant the increase
Taking a look at the bishops among us provides hope in the future of the Church By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Sometimes comparisons can be helpful. Take dioceses as an example. The Diocese of Memphis has 10,682 square miles and 64,064 Catholics. The Diocese of Nashville has 16,302 square miles and …
Understanding the sacraments: ‘Order of Matrimony’ confirmed
Rome blesses English translation of second edition that outlines marriage rite By Father Randy Stice The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) has approved the English translation of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Second Edition (OCM). The first edition was issued in Latin in 1969 …
He dwells among us: Evil without its makeup
By Bishop Richard F. Stika Decades ago, people on another continent shocked the world, saying, “We did not know” regarding the atrocities they chose to ignore. And before that, our own country enshrined as the law of its land the slavery of those we deemed less than human. Yet today, …
