God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven begins in the heart as a little house of Nazareth By Bishop Richard F. Stika “There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of …
‘The new covenant in my blood’
What did Christ mean by those words, and why does the covenant require His blood? By Father Randy Stice When Jesus gave the chalice to his disciples at the Last Supper, he told them, “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). This raises several questions. …
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The Church cannot accommodate the culture
The Catholic Church must challenge the culture with the truth of God’s revelation in Christ By Deacon Bob Hunt Whether it is justified or not, there is no question that Catholics who desire to reconsider or who even demand changes in some of the Church’s centuries-old teachings, particularly on moral …
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A mother who raised problem-solving kids
Sometimes the children would take turns in being the ‘least happy child’ in the family By George Valadie I’ve never met the woman, though I’d like to. Her name is Sarah Joyce Stuart. And according to Google, my go-to source for most stuff I don’t know, she’s the one writer …
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A terrible beauty
In these times of growing evils and persecution, we need the protective mantle of Mary Our Mother By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Who is this that comes forth as beautiful as the Sun, resplendent as the moon, as awe-inspiring (and terrible) as bannered troops?” — Songs 6:10-11 A mother’s protective …
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She’s incapacitated; he’s doing the cooking
His IOU to her is seemingly never-ending—until she makes a comment about the bedsheets By George Valadie I’ll tell you the truth: being a housewife is hell. At this very moment, instead of writing this column, I really ought to be in the kitchen. There are dirty dishes in the …
Addressing the Trinity during Mass
In sacramental communion, we receive the Trinity and become ‘partakers of the divine nature’ By Father Randy Stice The Trinity is the central mystery of our faith and life. The entire Christian life “is a communion with each of the divine persons, without in any way separating them.” When we …
A demanding joy
One deadly sin is the most insidious and a destroyer of the joy of our life in Christ and with others By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and His strength; constantly seek His face.” — Psalm 105:3-4 The heart’s …
Suffering cannot be wholly avoided in life
But it need not be wasted—as a profound mystery, it can be offered up with the sufferings of Christ Deacon Bob Hunt Redemptive suffering. Can purpose be given to the sufferings we endure over the course of our lives? Is suffering simply a part of life we must put up …
External forms of participation in the Mass
From posture and gesture to the saying of ‘Amen,’ we can engage more fully in the liturgy By Father Randy Stice Our participation in the Mass is most fruitful when we do so “fully aware of what [we] are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects” …
Benedict delineates the elements of charity
Those who carry out the Church’s charitable activity ‘must be people moved by Christ’s love’ By Deacon Bob Hunt Last month, in honor of Pope Benedict XVI, I offered a summary of the first part of his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, “God Is Love,” and promised a summary of Part …
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Coaches shouldn’t forget who they’re helping
No game ever invented is as important as the kids we are teaching how to play By George Valadie The first time I was asked to coach young kids, I was a young kid myself. I was 9 years old, and half the neighborhood, including the four of us, routinely …
