Polling shows a disturbing trend: each successive generation is less likely than the previous one to express strong national pride. Fewer than half of Gen Z Americans say they are extremely or very proud of their country. There is little doubt that...
Paul Suski
Fr Dino VaninRecent Essays
Carolyn Humphreys, O.C.D.S.
Deacon Steve Greco
Jennifer Borek
Deacon Gregory WebsterReflections- From Our Archives
Deacon Kurt GodfrydLasting Joy
Brace yourselves for a huge understatement: every single human being who ever existed, exists or will exist has happiness as his/her ultimate aspiration. After a moment of reflection, some might wonder: “What about...
Filled With Joyous Expectations
The prophet Isaiah (55:8-9) reminds us how we little creatures are often marred by pettiness: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways like your ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high...
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
Living the Joy of Christ
When we suffer trials and tribulations, we don’t feel joyous. In fact, we experience anything but joy. We may be in panic mode or simply a state of trying to survive. It is interesting to me that the Bible includes more...
Joyful Movements
The 18th century Austrian composer, Joseph Haydn, was once asked why his church music was so cheerful and he replied: “When I think upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap, as it...
Genuine, Lasting Joy
When I was a kid, I thought that nuns, priests, bishops and, naturally, the pope, were sinless. They did not need to go to confession. Of course, now, as a priest ordained 53 years ago, I can assure you that we are as...
Moments of Grace
St. John Paul II had one of the longest reigns as Pope in Church history; when he was elected in 1978, he became not only the first Pope from Poland, but the first non-Italian Pope in over 450 years. Most experts agree...
Fr Joseph Esper
William Borst
Eternal Joy Comes Through Relationship with Jesus
Certain truths are so robustly self-evident that they often transcend being espoused by only one faith tradition. Many not only transcend Abrahamic faith traditions, or Western religions, but are likewise held by...
James S. Anderson
Rejoice Sunday
“A body in motion tends to stay in motion, while a body at rest tends to stay at rest.” I’m sure many of you have heard that phrase used in an often repeated TV commercial that has been airing recently. The phrase has...
Fr Charles Irvin
All Essays
Danuta Siedzik: A Polish National Heroine and Model of Courage
Polling shows a disturbing trend: each successive generation is less likely than the previous one to express strong national pride. Fewer than half of Gen Z Americans say they are extremely or very proud of their...
Believe in Miracles
“Amen I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.” (Mark 11:23) The Lord’s...
Divergence in Daycare
Before proceeding, let me clarify the purpose of this reflection. Daycare in a time of genuine economic need is not the issue under consideration. Many families depend upon two incomes simply to afford housing, food...
Things Are Never Quite As They Seem
In 1896 a German immigrant to the United States, a man named Emmanuel Ninnger, paid for his purchases in a grocery store with a $20 bill. The sales clerk counted out the change, but after the customer left, noticed some...
Br Matthew Marie, OSB
The Saints Teach Us About Mary
“If we had a mother who was a queen, would we not be proud of it? Well, we have a Mother who is Queen of Heaven.” (St. Louis de Montfort) St. John Vianney (1786-1859) wrote many beautiful things about his...
The Case Against Evangelism
At one time, evangelism, converting those outside the Church, was our most difficult and potentially rewarding task. For many on fire with the Faith it was the frontline of spiritual warfare and perhaps the most...
Tom Borek
His Destiny is Our Destiny
Humanly speaking, regardless of the image Jesus wanted to project in carrying out the mission the Father had assigned him, we should wonder what must have been his visceral reaction when his closest disciples told him...
Perfecting the Mundane
I sometimes joke that I ran screaming from my parents’ house at 17. I’m joking, but only just. So, it has been a happy surprise that my children have continued to want to be close to Tom and me even into their 30s. A...
