For a couple of weeks now, our Gospel readings (Mt 18:21-35, Mt 20:1-16) have kept us close to Peter: his confession of faith, his stumbling, and his call to be the rock. Peter naturally draws our attention because he is so recognizably human...
Deacon Gregory Webster
Paul SuskiRecent Essays
Fr Dino Vanin
Carolyn Humphreys, O.C.D.S.
Deacon Steve Greco
Jennifer BorekReflections- From Our Archives
A Wish
As a pastor, a source of serious concern is having to remind parishioners, more often than in the past, that Jesus’ Resurrection, his victory over all evils, death included, is irreversible and unstoppable. At...
With Change, There is a Leaving Behind
On Friday, June 19, 2020, I was officially transferred from Mater Dei Hospital, Malta’s General Hospital, to the Oncology Centre of Sir Anthony Mamo, Malta’s only centre which specializes in cancer treatment. The move...
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
Fr Joseph Esper
Alexandra BochteHe Opens Our Eyes and Touches Our Hearts
The older we are the more evidence we accumulate to agree with Job and his assessment of life: So, I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. (Job 7:3) In painful situations...
Haven’t Got Time for the Pain- Part 1
Like the Wall Street Journal, one of my best resources for this column has been song and movie titles. Carly Simon’s rendition of a broken-heart love song serves as my title for this essay. Because of my advancing age...
William Borst
The Narrow Gate
If the angels were capable of envy, they would envy us for two things; one is the receiving of Holy Communion, and the other is suffering. (Diary 1804) Today, millions of Catholics, religious and lay people, continue to...
Eyes on the Lord; Not on the Waves
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord save...
Sharing In Our Darkest Valleys
When we find ourselves in darkness, spiritual and emotional darkness, what do we do? How do we respond? Some of us respond with fatalistic resignation, others of us with anger, and some in a despair that has led them...
Fr Charles Irvin
Thomas AddisDetermination: Energy for the Way
Affectionately known as Father Paddy, he loved everything Irish, and was a man of many talents. Born on August 14, 1959, in West Homestead Pennsylvania, he attended St Mary Magdalene School where he served as an altar...
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...
True Courage
Archbishop Fulton Sheen was very inspired by the following story. When the communists took over China, they imprisoned a priest in his rectory near his church. After they locked him up, the communists went into the...
In the Company of à Kempis
My mother, both of her sisters, and their mother all had breast cancer. My Aunt Emma Jean is the only one still living. I have tried to be mindful of my health but have often not done a particularly good job. So, I was...
Regarding Fraternal Correction
Arguably the most difficult challenge to our salvation is the call to forgiveness. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36) However, fraternal correction must be just as difficult. Mind you, fraternal...
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...
James S. AndersonThe 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...
