By George Valadie For those who begin this autumn with school-age children, you have automatic membership in a club of kindred spirit. Public or private, Christian or non-denominational, kindergarten or high school – it’s all the same; you join the club of moms and dads who hate the dastardly teacher …
Once upon a time: Beginning steps on the journey to heaven
By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Newspapers are filled these days with “back to school” news about youngsters’ beginning steps as they begin pre-K, or kindergarten, or any of the other early steps we all take, which, in retrospect, were tiny steps indeed. But at that moment, “the first time through” involved …
He dwells among us: Given up for you
God calls us to be good stewards of all creation, beginning with a human ecology By Bishop Richard F. Stika Getting our hands dirty can be a good thing, especially when it’s the result of working in a garden. Anyone who follows me on Facebook knows how much I enjoy …
Understanding the sacraments: A new ‘Order of Confirmation’
Archbishop Kurtz, USCCB president, sets implementation date for Pentecost Sunday 2016 By Father Randy Stice The new English translation of the Order of Confirmation has been confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Publication is scheduled for this fall. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president …
Marriage Enrichment: Preparing for Pope Francis
Diocese is actively engaged in World Meeting of Families as paper visit nears By Marian Christiana The Pope is coming! The Pope is coming! In case you didn’t know, Pope Francis will be coming to the United States in September. He will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 22. …
Once upon a time: Out of step with the normal
Praying for five servicemen, their families, and the Chattanooga community By Monsignor Xavier Mankel The Chattanooga area, tucked in the southeast corner of Tennessee, is no stranger to bloodshed – dating all the way to Indian days. Granted, most of the time since the Spanish landed in Florida near the …
Living the Readings: Jesus’ words come to life
The law of God takes us from earthly life to the eternal By Father Joseph Brando August is a different kind of month liturgically. For the first time in a long time, and this year, we have five Sundays in a row in the same month that all the Sunday …
Of prophets and kings
By Father Joseph Brando In modern times, the relationship between church and state is complex and difficult. The complication is due to multiple factors, including the migration of peoples, race, military power, the attitude of the people, and the power of one or more ethnic groups in the nation, among …
Praying for perspective: Living our vocations
Whether priests, women religious, or mom and dad By George Valadie Well, I have to say it’s been quite the summer already, and the baby hasn’t even gotten here yet. Yes, in a week or so, our middle daughter, Meg, will experience the miracle of birth yet again when she …
Once upon a time: Keep cool and remain faithful
By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Although there are some vestiges of the summers of yesteryear still around, the pace that you and I face June, July and August differs measurably from yesteryear. Refrigerated air-conditioning is partially responsible for this. No matter how hot the temperature, we work, worship and relax at …
He dwells among us: Stand beside her
In the struggle against suffering, there is one sword we should all take up By Bishop Richard F. Stika July is always a special time when I give particular thanks to God for the gifts of life, of baptism and of our country. Mom gave birth to me on the …
Remember the Land Rover
A couple of weeks ago I was in a conversation with some couples and one of them recounted an incident that took place some time ago. The story had to do with a fairly expensive Land Rover sport utility vehicle. You could see the love of the SUV in the …
