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, …
Praying for perspective: Kindred spirits among life’s graduates
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 …
