Seek God’s design in all you do to help build up a beautiful dwelling of God By Bishop Richard. F. Stika Anyone who knows me knows how much I love building projects and renovations. I particularly enjoy watching our new cathedral being built, especially as its skeletal frame of steel …
Understanding the sacraments: The ordination of permanent deacons
Diaconate again flourishes after centuries of decline within the Catholic Church By Father Randy Stice On June 11, Bishop Stika will ordain 24 men as permanent deacons. Permanent deacons “have embraced this ordained ministry as a permanent state of life” while “transitional” deacons will eventually be ordained priests. (Newsletter, USCCB …
Marriage enrichment: Keeping the family life holy
Pope affirms Church teaching on family and marriage in ‘The Joy of Love’ exhortation By Marian Christiana Family life is holy. It is messy but holy. Since his installation as pontiff, Pope Francis has helped to bring family life and its complications into sharper focus within the universal Church. During his …
Living the readings: The bounty of summer
In this Year of Mercy, we find God’s grace is truly abundant By Father Joseph Brando Now that they Easter season is completed with the feast of Pentecost, we return to Ordinary Time. However, this year is different. We are celebrating a Year of Mercy, which changes the way we look …
He dwells among us: As one who serves
What is your motto, your message to the world? By Bishop Richard F. Stika Will there be a deacon at Mass?” It’s a question that makes me smile. “Yes,” I reply, “I am one.” Many people don’t realize that once ordained a deacon, you always are a deacon, even if …
Once upon a time: Building His Church, living stone by living stone
By Monsignor Xavier Mankel With the canonizations of Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Louis and Zelie Martin, and many other lesser-known saints, we should have at our disposal a sufficient number of saints from a catalogue of the saints to cultivate devotions for many years to come. …
He dwells among us: Ocean of mercy
In life’s hard journey, we all must dive into the ocean of mercy By Bishop Richard F. Stika As the media began reporting last month on the release of Pope Francis’ document on marriage and family, titled The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia), I thought of the story of the …
Understanding the sacraments: A multilingual celebration of Mass
Guidelines for liturgy can enhance our cultural and linguistic diversity By Father Randy Stice One of the riches of diocese is its growing cultural diversity, with Mass celebrated in a number of different languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. In this respect we mirror the diversity of the Church in …
Marriage enrichment: Helping couples blend their faith
Ecumenical, interfaith marriages should openly discuss religious practice By Marian Christiana Marriage preparation is one of the great joys of my job. I love working with couples of all ages who are beginning their marital journey. Their happiness and optimism is infectious, and their enthusiasm spills over into my own …
Once upon a time: The Holy Week(s) of Easter
Celebration of Christ’s triumph over death has expanded through the years Holy Week always has been special. Before there was a Holy Week, Easter began with the Easter vigil. And before many years had passed Easter included seven days beginning on Palm Sunday. Gradually the week turned into two weeks, …
Living the readings: The Easter season
Fifty days of rejoicing lead the faithful to feast of Pentecost By Father Joseph Brando In this previous column, we explored the entire season of Lent. Today, we will delve into the Sundays of the Easter season, including the great day of Pentecost. Since we are covering twice as many …
He dwells among us: Walls of illusion
In this Year of Mercy, let’s tear down the walls of fear dividing us from God and neighbor By Bishop Richard F. Stika With the Easter season we again rejoice in the words, “Christ is Risen!” For by His death and resurrection, the walls of sin that separated us have …