For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for January 2014 St. John Bosco's dream Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - January 1, 2014 Purpose: The desire for peace is the strongest desire of e … [Read more...]
Archives for 2013
Looking Back at “Humani Generis”
December 23, 2013 by Fr. Brian Van Hove, SJ
The 1950 encyclical Humani Generis, “Concerning Some False Opinions Threatening to Undermine the Foundations of Catholic Doctrine,” should be understood in the context of the pontifical effort to reform Catholic intellectual life. Pope Pi … [Read more...]
Vanishing Catholics
December 23, 2013 by Fr. William P. Clark, OMI
According to recent demographic surveys, it seems there are presently 30 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as “former Catholics.” That figure is both surprising, and, for Catholics, disheartening. Over the past 50 years … [Read more...]
Ways to Celebrate Humanae Vitae at 45—and Beyond!
December 23, 2013 by Sr Renee Mirkes
This article began as a response to priests’ and deacons’ requests for a model homily on a moral means of family planning. On July 25, 2013, the Church marked the 45th anniversary of the promulgation of the encyclical Humanae Vitae. Over … [Read more...]
Vibrant Isn’t about Busy: Organizing Parish Life for Discipleship
December 22, 2013 by Colleen R. Vermeulen
Our parishes are busy. Many seem to be vibrant with activity. Yet activity alone is no guarantee that a parish contains discipling communities ... where relationships that allow for apprenticeship in the Christian life abound ... … [Read more...]
Glory to God in the Highest!
December 20, 2013 by David Vincent Meconi
And Peace to His People on Earth! Adoration of the Shepherds by Bartoleme Esteban Murillo Gospel Reading December 25, 2013, Midnight Mass Lk 2:8-14 ...Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the … [Read more...]
Time Magazine Nominated Pope Francis as “Person of the Year”
December 12, 2013 by JESUIT CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES
A Statement from the Society of Jesus on Time Magazine’s Selection of Pope Francis as Person of the Year Head of U.S. Jesuit Order Congratulates Pope on Honor December 11, 2013 — Pope Francis has been named 2013’s “Person of the Year, … [Read more...]
Understanding Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium”
December 12, 2013 by David Vincent Meconi
Evangelii Gaudium is ostensibly the Pope’s response to the Synod last October ... but it is much more than a simple reporting on what happened there. It is the outlining of the key themes Pope Francis hopes will constitute his po … [Read more...]
On “Whose God Is God?”
December 12, 2013 by Fr. James V. Schall, SJ
The problem is not with God. The problem is already located in the classical Garden in Genesis, the question of man preferring his own world to that more noble world that God has destined him for, and in which, being the kind of being he … [Read more...]
Jesus’ Infancy through the Eyes of Benedict XVI
December 11, 2013 by Dr. Matthew J. Ramage, PhD
As Benedict’s entire Jesus of Nazareth trilogy masterfully illustrates, the answer lies in carefully balanced exegesis that takes the historicity of the Gospels seriously, while also attending to the particularities of their unique literary … [Read more...]
“It Belongs to the Wise Man to Order”: James Schall on Politics and Revelation
December 11, 2013 by Brian Jones
The wise man not only has the right order in his mind, but in his soul as well; he not only knows how he ought to live, but, more importantly, he does, in fact, live this way, in accord with what he is. Fr. Norris Clarke, the renowned … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
December 10, 2013 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Many politicians have claimed that though they are Catholic, they are in favor of a woman’s right to choose whatever is necessary for her reproductive health. Can you comment on this attitude? Some couples have chosen to practice c … [Read more...]
USCCB President Archbishop Kurtz Responds to ACLU’s Lawsuit
Statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
December 8, 2013 by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Church urges respectful, compassionate care for pregnant women and their children. ACLU claims are “baseless” and lawsuit “misguided.” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called a suit by … [Read more...]
Homilies for December 2013
November 24, 2013 by Rev. Ray E. Atwood
For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for December 2013 1st Sunday of Advent—December 1, 2013 The desires of the flesh Purpose: This Sunday’s readings focus on our preparation for the Lord’s return in glory. Like those who live … [Read more...]
The Renewal of Preaching in the Liturgical Homily for the New Evangelization
November 24, 2013 by Fr. Gabriel de Chadarevian, OP
My purpose here is not to detail the content of a good homily, but to delineate the focus and attitudes of heart and mind of the homilist himself. Outstanding Dominican preachers: Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St. Dominic, St. Vincent … [Read more...]
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