Lent
When Things Disappear
Father Michael Ackerman Comments Off on When Things Disappear
Not that long ago, a few parishioners invited me to their home for dinner. Following the meal, their two young daughters treated all those present to a fairly impressive magic show in the game room. The half-hour presentation included many disappearing acts featuring money, jewelry and even one of the girls themselves. “You should try Read More
Priestly Renewal and the Call of Lent
Father Jeffrey Kirby Comments Off on Priestly Renewal and the Call of Lent
As priests, we sometimes hear from (or about) spouses who are so busy with work, family and children that they begin to forget themselves and their nuptial union. In trying to serve their families, they begin to lose their marriage. The hustle and bustle of important and pressing duties, responsibilities, commitments and expectations have overwhelmed Read More
Focus on What Is Essential
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Focus on What Is Essential
I remember having a trying day many years ago when I worked in the chancery in a leadership position. I shared my frustrations with a seasoned co-worker nearing the sunset of her career. She listened attentively to my angst. Then she said, “Dave, just try and focus on that which is essential.” Her words were Read More
Our Lenten Pilgrim Journey
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Our Lenten Pilgrim Journey
Nearly a year ago I was blessed to be on retreat with the Ohio and Michigan bishops at a retreat house in Michigan. The retreat master was a retired bishop from England. I introduced myself to him, and we both shared our stories. In the end, he said, “I guess we are all pilgrims.” The Read More
We Will Rise Again and Again and Again
Dr. Jo Ann Paradise Comments Off on We Will Rise Again and Again and Again
Working in parish ministry for 45 years now, I do not once recall planning for the Easter season. There were many extended meetings about Advent that included what exactly is the shade of purple that denotes the season. There were even longer meetings about Lent. How do we facilitate making room for the Holy Spirit Read More
Embracing Penitential Prayer
Father Ronald Patrick Raab Comments Off on Embracing Penitential Prayer
Prayer is not a commodity or an accomplishment. Prayer resides in the deepest silence of our being. Prayer is a relationship with divine love, and the words we utter come from our most profound needs. We don’t pray to make us look good. One aspect of liturgical prayer, however, is that of witness. During Lent, Read More
Ash Wednesday Charts a Course for All of Lent
Father Gerald Dennis Gill Comments Off on Ash Wednesday Charts a Course for All of Lent
For many people, Ash Wednesday stands alone at the beginning of Lent with the imposition of blessed ashes. The relationship of this day to all of Lent and to Easter receives little reflection. However, Ash Wednesday has a definite purpose for charting the course for the Christian observance of Lent, a time of intense “purification Read More
The Desert Experience
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on The Desert Experience
When I was a seminarian living at the North American College in Rome, our formators used to speak about priestly formation as a “desert experience.” Even though we were nestled in one of the largest cities in the world with so much noise and traffic, there was something to be said about this imagery. Formation Read More