Second Sunday of Advent—December 7, 2014 Make His Path Straight Purpose: Advent is a time to prepare for Christmas. As St. John the Baptist gave a compelling witness to Christ by word and deed, so to the Christian is called to do the s … [Read more...]
Archives for 2014
Homilies for December 2014
Homilies for Sunday Liturgies and Holy Days, December 2014
December 2, 2014 by Fr. Shane Crombie, CC
The Sacramentality of Human Love according to St. John Paul II
December 2, 2014 by Most Rev. Jean Laffitte
Vatican City, November 17, 2014 Dear Friends, It is my distinct honor and personal pleasure to be with you at this important Colloquium on the complementarity of man and woman, and to share with this august assembly the perspective of … [Read more...]
Saved from a Deacon’s Nightmare
Preaching That Changes Lives
December 2, 2014 by Deacon Edward McCormack, PhD
A Nightmare Not long ago, I experienced a deacon’s nightmare. I was serving the 7:30 AM Mass on Sunday morning, and just as the lector stood up to do the first reading, the presider turned to me and said, “You are preaching this morning, ri … [Read more...]
An Advent Reflection: Redemptor Hominis, Redeemer of Man
December 2, 2014 by Austin P. Kirwan
Introduction The encyclical, Redemptor Hominis, has a specific place in the ministry of Pope St. John Paul II. It was proclaimed the first Sunday of Lent, 1979, the first encyclical of the new pontificate, hence the link to Advent—it m … [Read more...]
A Pastoral Society
The Renewal of Catholic Culture and the Flourishing of Human Society
December 2, 2014 by Deacon Peter Trahan, MATh
Introduction In the Catholic intellectual community, there is a growing call for the renewal of Christian culture as a solution to the impoverishment of 21st century society. This intellectual movement has two momentums: on the one hand, … [Read more...]
Yes, We Can Know Truth Today
December 2, 2014 by Fr. Paul Conner, OP
How astonishing it is to be a human person! Like vegetables, it is wonderful enough to be able to assimilate inanimate minerals and grow, as well as to reproduce our own kind. Like our dear pets, it is amazing that we have senses to know … [Read more...]
Late Fall Reading for November 2014
December 2, 2014 by Book Reviews
Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus. Fr. Christopher S. Collins, SJ (Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, Indiana, 2014) 160 pages. (Reviewed by Fr. Vincent L. Strand, SJ) Reading the New Testament: An Introduction, … [Read more...]
Reflections on God’s Providence
Pope Francis and the Synod on the Family
November 14, 2014 by David Vincent Meconi
November always begins with our remembering what true life in Christ looks like—All Saints—and ends with our anticipation of a new chance at that same rejuvenation—Advent. In the Christian calendar, November is the month of transition: the l … [Read more...]
Recognizing a Link in the Hermeneutic of Continuity
A Brief Look at Blessed Pope Paul VI
November 14, 2014 by Fr. Matthew J. Albright
The ranks of those declared blessed and saint by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit constitute the great array of our brothers and sisters who have been lifted up as models of holiness and powerful intercessors. While … [Read more...]
Christ Is the Fulfillment of the Law
The Holy Law Is Not an End in Itself
November 14, 2014 by Eduardo Echeverria
The core teaching in Pope Francis’s homily on October 13th is summarized in the following conclusion: Do I believe in Jesus Christ, in Jesus, in what he did: He died, rose again, and the story ended there. Do I think that the journey c … [Read more...]
The Legacy of the Vision of Pope John Paul II for Marriage and Family
November 14, 2014 by Dr. William Newton
Not even the bullet from the barrel of an assassin’s gun could stop Pope John Paul II from emphasizing early in his pontificate the issues of marriage and family. In just the first five years, he created six key markers in these critical a … [Read more...]
Streamlining Annulments
November 14, 2014 by Fr. Mark A. Pilon
This headline greeted the announcement that Pope Francis was establishing a commission to make suggestions for altering the annulment process in the Catholic Church. The word “streamlining” is, perhaps, not the Vatican’s word, but it does ca … [Read more...]
Jesus Christ, How Now, My King?
November 14, 2014 by Sharmila Rego
What exactly is the Kingdom of God? Where is it? Ever since I was a teenager and became immersed in wanting to know more about Jesus, I learned about God’s Kingdom, and it would spur me on to live more and more like a “Kingdom person.” I lea … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
November 14, 2014 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Does the Church endorse a school of philosophy? Is there only one standard for all justice? Question: I have heard that the Church does not canonize any particular philosophical school. Is there any guidance given from recent … [Read more...]
Homilies for November 2014
Homilies for Sunday Liturgies and Holy Days, November 2014
October 29, 2014 by Dcn. Tracy Jamison, OCDS
Solemnity of All Saints (Not a Holy Day of Obligation)—November 1, 2014 The Hidden Path to Beatitude Purpose: The Beatitudes are principles which Christ gave us in order to encourage us to aspire to true happiness. True happiness … [Read more...]
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