Archives for 2013

Pope Benedict’s Resignation

For the latest information on Pope Benedict's decision to resign, go to Catholic World Report at: http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Default.aspx … [Read more...]

Legislation creating ”same-sex” marriage: What’s at stake?

Bishop's Corner

Marriage comes to us from nature ... neither Church nor State invented marriage, and neither can change its nature.  At the beginning of the New Year, 2013, a law is being proposed in the General Assembly to change the legal definition … [Read more...]

Christian Life and Education: The Christian Belief in God

The sacramental vision of an authentically Christian education enjoys the sense of the holy in all things, and imparts a kind of sanctity to the study of all disciplines, seeing in each an avenue to the Creator Logos ... (it) is an aspect … [Read more...]

Catholicism

Catholicism is not simply another “religion ... the sacrifice of the cross (the Mass) is not something that a natural religion could or did figure out. It had to be made known to man by God himself.   I. A brief, accurate statement of wh … [Read more...]

Imitation of Jesus, Priest and Victim, and the Grace of Celibacy

By reason of our priestly consecration, we are called to be perfect imitators of Christ; we are called to be priests and victims in the manner of Jesus who is the Priest and Victim. (This was a talk delivered at a day of recollection for … [Read more...]

What Evangelicals Can Learn From Catholics

The biggest thing that Evangelicals can learn from Catholics is how to worship ... liturgy, when celebrated reverently, can also give worshipers a connection to the sacred that is just not available through the type of worship service ... … [Read more...]

The Aquinas Institute for the Study of Sacred Doctrine

Books available on St. Thomas Aquinas, Commentaries on Apostles John, Paul, and Matthew

Some years ago, a group of theologians at Wyoming Catholic College came together to establish The Aquinas Institute for the Study of Sacred Doctrine. By now you may already know about the ambitious project that our Institute has launched … [Read more...]

February 2013 Homilies

For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for February 2013 The Transfiguration of Our Lord That Christ may reign. 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:  Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17; 1 Cor 12:31—13:13, or 13:4-13; Lk 4 … [Read more...]

Revisiting Humanae Vitae

What has been summarized as his most profound theological contribution, Theology of the Body, John Paul II labeled the entire work a “rereading of Humanae Vitae.” Two days after the publication of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI remarked dur … [Read more...]

Why Do We Believe?

The dynamics of Catholic faith-building are thus severely attacked today by many in the sciences who quite glibly point out that the evidence of science trumps the evidence of religion. The Year of Faith is a most appropriate time to … [Read more...]

Doctrinal Homily Outlines for the Year of Faith

...the Scriptures are not a systematic presentation of the faith. Nevertheless, the doctrines of the faith are contained in Sacred Scripture, so the Lectionary readings can be the basis for preaching about doctrine.    Pope Benedict XVI h … [Read more...]

Cantor, Psalmist, and Cleric: The Pastoral Care and Responsibilities of the Soloist Musician

Next to the ministry of priests and deacons, the ministries in parish music—particularly music for Mass—are the most visible in many Catholic communities.  With the advent of the new Missal, ... music ministries have the opportunity to beco … [Read more...]

Are doctrine and morals too controversial?

January 2013 Editorial

What happens to a parish, and to its parishioners, when the pastor refuses to preach Catholic doctrine and morals on the grounds that they are now “too controversial”?   Cardinal Francis George and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are well known fo … [Read more...]

Beauty: A Necessity, Not a Luxury

Just when I am about to succumb to the sadness and living death of nihilism, some piercing ray of beauty breaks open my heart, and the breath of possibility returns. I recently visited the Botanical Garden in St Louis.  Amid the sights … [Read more...]

Questions Answered

Is Baptism by water "Baptism in the Holy Spirit?" Can medical research on incapacitated patients ever be justified? Is Baptism by water "Baptism in the Holy Spirit?" Question:  I have often heard the phrase “Baptism in the Holy Sp … [Read more...]