In my article last month, I relayed the story of an archived letter from Germany to Mother Laurine Sheeran, OSU. The letter was dated 1947 and its writer thanked the mother superior for sending him several religious items to the post-war country.
Editorials and Columns
Baptism and Confirmation – A Catholic’s ‘work-order’
With Spring upon us, it is hard to look at the beauty we see in the natural world around us and not be filled with the sense of God’s majesty. In our Church, the advent of Spring also brings us the many opportunities to celebrate, with our youth, the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Helping young people be the hands and feet of Christ in the world
On the night that Jesus instituted the Eucharist, surrounded by his disciples, he also modeled for them what a life of discipleship would look like.
Did German prisoners of war work on the farm at Mount Saint Joseph?
It will never cease to amaze me how badly history wants her stories to be discovered.
Black Americans on the road to sainthood: From slave to priest
This month we remember the Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton who was born a slave in Brush Creek, Mo., on April 1, 1854 and who overcame numerous obstacles to become the first Black American ordained to the priesthood.
The origin of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Divine Mercy image, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
To many in the 20th century, humankind began to experience what St. John Paull II called “an eclipse of the sense of God.”
Find your joy: An Easter challenge
“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, paragraph 3).
Holy Thursday: Do this in memory of me
As April begins we are within sight of the last days and hours of Lent. Palm Sunday is April 2, so Holy Week is here and Easter but days away. The heart of our observance of Holy Week is the Sacred Triduum, when the Church “solemnly celebrates the greatest mysteries of our redemption, keeping by means of special celebrations the memorial of her Lord, crucified, buried, and risen.” (From the Roman Missal)
‘A new horizon, a decisive direction’
As I go around the diocese trying to aid parish youth ministry efforts, my message has become the need for 1) adults who care (as noted in the January issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic), 2) opportunities for the faith lives of youth to come alive, and 3) opportunities for youth to live out their faith as disciples.
Evangelize by sharing your faith story: A Lenten challenge
The United States bishops have stated that, “Whether you were baptized as a child, or joined the Church as an adult, you have a story of faith. Whether you sincerely live your faith in quiet or have a great public ministry, you have a story of faith…”