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The Advent Wreath
D.D. Emmons Comments Off on The Advent Wreath
John the Baptist best describes this holy period we know as Advent by saying, “One mightier than I is coming” (Lk 3:16). We are called during Advent to get ready, to prepare ourselves for the birth of Our Lord, Jesus, at Christmas. It is a season of penance, expectation and hope. We wait and watch Read More
Christmas, a Holy Night, a Joyful Day
Father Bill Waters Comments Off on Christmas, a Holy Night, a Joyful Day
We had three Christmas Eve Masses and one Christmas morning Mass. Before Christmas, the combined choirs had a concert, one of the year’s highlights in our parish, St. Augustine in Philadelphia. There also were innumerable parties. All the preparation and the actual decorating of the church and many other details, just like every other parish, Read More
The Spiritual Impact of the War in Ukraine
Gina Christian Comments Off on The Spiritual Impact of the War in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (OSV News) — With Russia’s war on Ukraine now approaching its 10th year — and the full-scale invasion surpassing the 500-day mark — OSV News traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, who shared his reflections on the war’s spiritual impact. Bishop Kryvytskyi Read More
Journey of Gratitude
Patricia Sharbaugh Comments Off on Journey of Gratitude
I went to see a play many years ago. I don’t recall the name of the play or much of its plot, but one scene remains etched in my memory. A young gentile man has fallen in love with a Jewish woman, and she takes him home to meet her parents on Passover. He doesn’t Read More
Do We Still Need Angels?
Father Eugene Hensell Comments Off on Do We Still Need Angels?
If you come from a traditional Catholic background one of the prayers you learned as a child was this: Angel of God, my guardian dear, / to whom God’s love commits me here, / ever this day be at my side, / to light and guard, to rule and guide. / Amen. This is the Read More
The Need for Leadership and Management Training
Bernadette M. Kime Comments Off on The Need for Leadership and Management Training
Seminary curriculum focuses on philosophy, theology, Scripture, counseling, etc. While fundamental for ministry, few courses exist that address topics necessary for effective leadership, administration and management — for example, conflict management, human resources, budgeting/financial planning, etc. Yet, Catholic priests often need leadership education, especially administrative and management skills. This would benefit them in becoming more Read More
Three Simple Ways Priests Can Glorify God through Their Bodies
Kevin Vost Comments Off on Three Simple Ways Priests Can Glorify God through Their Bodies
When the priest speaks in persona Christi the words of consecration, “This is my Body,” it is not only Christ who is speaking but the priest also. At every Mass, I am reminded that I am called to offer my own body as an offering to God. It is only right and just that I Read More
The Parson and Me
Father Joseph I. Cisetti Comments Off on The Parson and Me
Years ago, while walking around Westminster Abbey, I entered the south transept. This section of the church includes what is known as the Poet’s Corner, where many famous English writers are buried or memorialized. While looking around, I literally backed up into the tomb of a man who helped give direction to my becoming a Read More